Philanthropist Bill Gates has sounded a grave warning over Nigeria’s worsening child mortality crisis, revealing that one in every six children born in the northern region dies before their fifth birthday.
Speaking ahead of the Gates Foundation’s annual Goalkeepers event in New York, Gates described the figures as a wake-up call for Nigerian leaders and the global community to act decisively. “A child born in northern Nigeria has a 15 percent chance of dying before turning five. You can choose to help improve that situation or ignore its significance,” he warned.
The Gates Foundation has pledged $912 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria between 2026 and 2028. This comes as international health financing has plummeted by more than 20 percent in the past year, the sharpest decline in 15 years. Gates cautioned that while philanthropy can support progress, it cannot replace the duty of governments. “I cannot compensate for government cuts, nor do I want to create the illusion that I can,” he said.
The billionaire philanthropist stressed that millions of lives could still be saved if governments strengthen primary healthcare, expand vaccine access, and embrace innovations in medical science. He pointed out that child mortality has been halved globally since 2000, dropping from 10 million annual deaths to under 5 million, but warned that Nigeria risks falling behind without urgent intervention.
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Nigeria remains one of the worst-affected countries, particularly in its northern states where weak health systems, poverty, and insecurity deprive families of essential care. A senior official at the Federal Ministry of Health, speaking anonymously, admitted the scale of the challenge but said efforts are underway. “We are increasing routine immunization, revitalizing primary healthcare centers, and collaborating with partners like the Gates Foundation to address gaps in child survival. The statistics are alarming, but they highlight the necessity for the government to remain committed,” the official said.
UNICEF Nigeria also underscored the urgency, stressing that child survival is tied to stronger health systems, clean water, nutrition, and security. The agency urged both federal and state governments to invest more in health infrastructure to prevent avoidable deaths.
For Gates, the choice before leaders is stark: commit resources and save children, or allow preventable deaths to continue.
