Bill Gates, world’s second richest man, has defended his criticism of the Nigerian government when he spoke at the expanded national economic council meeting last week.

Recalls that at the meeting which was presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Gates had said the execution priorities of the economic recovery and growth plan do not reflect the true needs of Nigerians.

However, in an interview with Cable News Network (CNN) on Monday, Gates insisted that the federal government’s investments in young people, especially in areas of health and education were not good enough.

He added that Nigeria would become an engine of growth, if the government got health and education right.

He said: “As a partner in Nigeria, I am saying the current plan is inadequate. Nigeria has all these young people and the current quality and quantity of investment in these young generations; in health and education just isn’t good enough. So, I was very direct,” he told CNN.

“If they can get health and education right, they will be an engine of growth not just for themselves but for all of Africa,” he added.

It could be recalled that the Federal Government had said that Nigerians misunderstood comments made by Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, that President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Recovery Growth plan (ERGP) does not address the needs of the citizens.