Nigeria's fight against polio may have gotten a boost as the American computer giant and billionaire, Bill Gates, through his foundation, is using digital technology for monitoring and ensuring the effectiveness of the campaigns, especially in the North.

In his annual letter reviewing the philanthropic work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the American personal computer innovator disclosed that he had been able to identify the obstacles to vaccination campaigns in Nigeria. And as a result of the application of digital technology, Gates says "Progress is definitely being made, and more children are being reached in Nigeria's polio vaccination campaign.

According to the annual letter exclusively made available to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND earlier in the week, Mr. Gates said, "In Nigeria, I've seen how the digital revolution allows us to improve the use of measurement in the campaign to eradicate polio."

He added: "Thanks to cell phones, satellites and cheap sensors; we can gather and organise data with increasing speed and accuracy," noting that digital technology will also help speed progress in education and agriculture, as well as other health efforts across the world.