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 Bill Gates, co-chair of the bill and Melinda Gate Foundation.
The award was presented on Tuesday, June 3, during a ceremony held in Lagos, attended by top dignitaries including Dr. Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, and Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, among others.
The national honour recognises Gates’ longstanding contributions to global health, education, and poverty reduction, particularly his Foundation’s impactful work in Nigeria through health programs, education support, and strategic partnerships that uplift millions.
Gates is currently in Nigeria for a series of high-level meetings with President Tinubu and other senior government officials, focusing on primary healthcare reforms and technological innovation in health.
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As part of his visit, he will also participate in the Goalkeepers Nigeria event, which spotlights Africa’s innovation-driven future. He’s expected to meet with local scientists and partners working on Nigeria’s national AI strategy and scaling up life-saving solutions across the health sector.
This trip follows a major announcement by the Gates Foundation, pledging to invest $200 billion over the next 20 years to accelerate global health progress, especially across the African continent.
President Tinubu’s recognition of Bill Gates underscores Nigeria’s appreciation for international allies committed to impactful, long-term development.
