Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the country’s highest national honor, Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), on billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.
The ceremony took place in Lagos on Tuesday night, with Gates being recognized for his decades-long contributions to global health, education, and poverty alleviation, including strategic partnerships with Nigeria.
Gates, who is also the co-founder of Microsoft, was accompanied by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, to the Aso Rock Villa. According to Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the honor is a testament to Gates’ exceptional service to humanity.
This honor comes after Gates’ major announcement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he committed $200 billion in funding over the next 20 years through the Gates Foundation to support global health and development, particularly across Africa. Gates emphasized the importance of partnering with governments that prioritize citizens’ well-being to achieve sustainable impact.
“We are counting on Mr. Gates’ steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us,” said renowned advocate for women and children, Mrs. Graça Machel, highlighting the significance of Gates’ continued investment in Africa.
During his visit, Gates will also participate in the Goalkeepers Nigeria event, spotlighting local AI innovations and efforts to strengthen primary healthcare. He urged African nations to embed AI in the design of next-generation health systems, drawing comparisons to how mobile banking revolutionized the continent’s financial sector.
Gates’ foundation has been working closely with African governments to accelerate health and development through innovation and collaboration. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, and Mrs. Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, praised African governments for demonstrating resilience and leadership in improving public health outcomes.