US philanthropist Bill Gates has made a stunning announcement, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Gates Foundation. He plans to double his charitable giving to $200 billion over the next 20 years, after which he will shut down the foundation in 2045. Gates wrote in a blog post, “People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them. There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people.”
Gates founded the Gates Foundation with his ex-wife Melinda French Gates in 2000, and since then, it has given away over $100 billion to help others. This increased giving is partly in response to funding cuts by the Donald Trump administration to nonprofits, researchers, universities, and the needy. Gates clarified, “The United States, United Kingdom, France, and other countries around the world are cutting their aid budgets by tens of billions of dollars. And no philanthropic organization—even one the size of the Gates Foundation—can make up the gulf in funding that’s emerging right now.”
Other foundations are also stepping up their efforts. John Palfrey, president of the John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation, challenged charitable organizations to choose the path of resistance. He said, “There’s a chance here for us to stand together on a series of very important bedrock principles, and do so with linked arms, and do so in such a way that allows us to serve every community in America in a way that will ensure a strong republic for years to come.” The MacArthur Foundation is increasing its giving by over 20% for 2025 and 2026.
Nigeria: A Major Beneficiary
Nigeria has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the MacArthur Foundation’s charity, with over $150 million spent empowering hundreds of organizations between 2016 and 2024. The Gates Foundation has also invested heavily in Nigeria, with over $2 billion invested in the last decade. In 2018, the foundation paid off a $74 million loan Nigeria obtained from Japan to combat polio. The Global Fund, in which the Gates Foundation is a major player, has spent over $4.8 billion in Nigeria since 2002.
Recently, a group of philanthropies led by the Gates Foundation unveiled a fund of $500 million to help save the lives of newborn babies and mothers in Africa. Gates’ foundation has also committed to working with partners to make progress towards three primary goals: helping end preventable deaths of moms and babies, ensuring the next generation grows up without deadly infectious diseases, and lifting millions of people out of poverty.
A Call to Action
Gates’ announcement raises questions about how Nigeria will utilize these funds differently. In the past, Nigerian leaders have failed to prioritize the needs of their people. Gates told the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja in April 2019, “By putting the Nigerian people first, Nigeria’s leaders can build a better future. I still believe in the grand vision of Nigeria’s future, and that future depends on all of you.” He criticized the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, saying it prioritizes physical capital over human capital.
As Gates prepares to give away virtually all his wealth, Nigeria has an opportunity to learn from his philanthropic efforts. Will the country be one of the principal partners in his mission to save and improve lives around the world? Only time will tell.
Gates’ Vision for the Future
Gates has expressed his admiration for healthcare workers who ensure breakthroughs reach the people who need them most. He believes progress depends on many people around the globe, including brilliant scientists, private companies, other philanthropists, and governments. As he looks to the next 20 years, Gates is committed to accelerating his giving to put the world on a path to ending preventable deaths and lifting millions out of poverty.