LAGOS — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred one of Nigeria’s highest national honours, the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), on American philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates.
The award was presented on Tuesday, June 3, during a special ceremony in Lagos attended by key figures including Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, and other dignitaries.
President Tinubu praised Gates for his decades-long commitment to improving global health and reducing poverty, particularly in Africa. “Bill Gates has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the advancement of humanity. Through his foundation, he has helped millions access vaccines, education, and critical healthcare services. Nigeria is proud to honour him,” Tinubu said.
In his acceptance remarks, Gates expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed his foundation’s partnership with Nigeria. “This honour means a great deal to me and to the entire team at the Gates Foundation. Nigeria has always been a key partner in our global efforts to improve health and development. We are deeply committed to supporting the country’s progress,” he stated.
Gates is in Nigeria for high-level meetings with President Tinubu and other government officials to discuss ongoing reforms in the country’s primary healthcare system. He is also attending the Goalkeepers Nigeria event, which celebrates innovation in health and technology across the continent.
During his visit, Gates is expected to engage with Nigerian scientists and partners working on national strategies for artificial intelligence and expanded healthcare delivery.
The trip follows a landmark announcement by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledging $200 billion over the next 20 years to support health and development initiatives, with Africa as a central focus.
“Nigeria is full of bright minds and big ideas,” Gates added. “Our goal is to keep supporting those efforts, especially in areas like AI, vaccines, and maternal and child health.”
