Shettima launches 'Great Challenges Nigeria' to revolutionize healthcare with local solutions

Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched ‘Grand Challenges Nigeria’ (GCNg), a national innovation program aimed at revolutionizing Nigeria’s healthcare landscape with locally developed solutions.

The initiative, which is part of the global Grand Challenges network, will focus on maternal and child health issues in the first phase.

Shettima, who launched the initiative at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, told the audience that the initiative had become necessary in the wake of the urgency created by the rapid progress of the world. “It is developing in the field of science and technology.”

He emphasized the importance of contextualizing solutions to national challenges, noting that this was an “important message” from the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the initiative would promote ground-breaking research and build local expertise, among others.

In a statement made by his spokesman Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said: “This initiative is much more than a response to problems; “It is a way to foster groundbreaking research, build local expertise, create strategic partnerships and empower communities to create culturally relevant solutions.” said Shettima.

He explained that the program will integrate with existing government healthcare initiatives, including the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Nutrition 774 programme.

“What Grand Challenges Nigeria promises is transformative: a Nigeria where every child has access to proper nutrition, every family can trust the quality of our healthcare system, and where our public health metrics continue to improve with each passing year.” Shettima noticed this.

Call for proposals and global integration

The Vice President also announced the urgent call for proposals on “Developing Innovative Solutions for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health,” explaining that the initiative will address challenges ranging from infectious diseases to food security and climate resilience.

“The foundation of our door to innovation lies in recognizing our place in the global community.” “We must believe that our progress is intertwined with the progress of the rest of the world,” he said.

Shettima said Tinubu administration ““We are determined to provide the support necessary to turn our goals into a lifeline for our people.”

The Vice President expressed his expectation to witness the creativity of Nigeria’s best minds: “Through this initiative, their innovations will receive the funding and support they deserve.”

In his opening remarks, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, said Grand Challenges Nigeria aims to develop local solutions to critical problems facing Nigerians.

The Minister noted that the model is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point agenda that uses innovation to promote prosperity and growth and empower researchers and innovators in the process.

Stakeholders support the initiative

Chief Nnaji said the ministry was committed to promoting growth using innovation, even as Grand Challenges assured Nigeria would prioritize investments in education and environmentally sustainable projects, among others.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Safety, Mr. Chike Okafor lauded the determination of the Vice President and the commitment of the Federal Government to the launch of the initiative, stating that the program would go a long way in complementing existing efforts in combating food insecurity and malnutrition in Nigeria.
He pledged the House of Representatives’ support for the Grand Challenges Nigeria framework, especially as it impacts food security and nutrition across the country, noting that he looks forward to a rewarding collaboration with stakeholders to realize his vision.
In his remarks, His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nutrition Association of Nigeria, said that the responsibility of addressing malnutrition and food insecurity requires focused efforts and collective actions. The Grand Challenges Nigeria initiative is designed to include.
He thanked the Federal Government for believing in the effectiveness of the initiative, expressing hope that Nigerians would be at the forefront of finding solutions to problems in the country by embracing the Grand Challenges Nigeria framework.
The President lauded the leadership of the Vice President as the Chairman of the Nutrition Council of Nigeria and a key supporter in the development of the nutrition and related agenda across the country.

In the same vein, President of the Nigerian Nutrition Association, Prof. Salisu Abubakar lauded the leadership shown by the Vice President in launching the initiative, stating that it would help solve health challenges by leveraging local resources and researched solutions. approaches.

He pledged the community’s support to ensure that the solutions adopted through the program are inclusive and adaptable to Nigerians, especially in improving their health and well-being.

Call for proposals and global integration

Stakeholders support the initiative

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