President Tinubu Honours Bill Gates with Nigeria’s Prestigious CFR Award
By Wafric - Breaking News
WafricNews – June 4, 2025
Lagos, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured global philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates with the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), one of Nigeria’s highest national awards, in recognition of his enduring impact on health, innovation, and human development.
The award ceremony, which took place in Lagos on Tuesday, was a major highlight of Gates’ latest visit to Nigeria. The American billionaire, who chairs the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is currently on a multi-country African tour aimed at strengthening partnerships in health, technology, and development.
President Tinubu praised Gates’ legacy, saying, “His vision for global health has uplifted millions. Nigeria recognises and honours this dedication to bettering lives, especially across Africa.”
Joining the ceremony was Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and a longtime collaborator with Gates on health and development initiatives. His presence reinforced the growing synergy between Africa’s public institutions and private sector giants.
In his remarks, Gates expressed deep appreciation for the honour and reaffirmed his foundation’s commitment to long-term collaboration in Nigeria. “The strides Nigeria is making in primary healthcare reform are inspiring. We’re eager to continue partnering with local leaders, researchers, and innovators to support this momentum,” he said.
The visit follows a bold pledge by the Gates Foundation to invest $200 billion over the next two decades in global health and development, a commitment Gates has described as part of his lifelong mission to donate the bulk of his wealth to philanthropic causes.
While in Nigeria, Gates is set to speak at the Goalkeepers Nigeria event, where conversations will centre on Africa’s role in driving innovation for the future. He is also expected to meet with Nigerian scientists and policy makers spearheading the country’s AI and digital health strategies. L-R: Bill Gates and President Bola Tinubu
The Foundation’s recent decision to establish a permanent office in Nigeria—alongside regional hubs in South Africa, Kenya, and Senegal—signals a deeper commitment to local-led development across the continent.
Following his engagements in Nigeria, Gates will travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, further reaffirming his foundation’s longstanding footprint and investment in Africa’s future.
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