American tech mogul and philanthropist, Bill Gates, has been awarded one of Nigeria’s highest honours — Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) — by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in appreciation of his long-standing commitment to global health, education, and poverty alleviation.
The honour was conferred in Lagos on Tuesday, during a high-profile event attended by senior government officials and influential business leaders, including Dr Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who accompanied Gates to the Aso Rock Villa.
While presenting the award, President Tinubu recognised Gates’ unwavering support for Nigeria through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, particularly in areas like polio eradication, immunisation, maternal health, and digital innovation in healthcare.
The visit comes as Gates tours parts of Africa, holding key meetings and championing reforms in primary healthcare systems across the continent.
According to the Gates Foundation, he is in Nigeria to discuss health sector reforms with President Tinubu and other stakeholders, as well as to take part in the Goalkeepers Nigeria event, a platform that highlights Africa’s achievements and potential in health, technology, and innovation.
During his trip, Gates will also engage with local scientists and development partners working on AI-powered health solutions and Nigeria’s national AI strategy.
In a recent statement, Gates reaffirmed his commitment to Africa, saying:
“It’s both a moral responsibility and a strategic investment in the future of a continent with some of the world’s fastest-growing populations and most pressing development needs.”
The 69-year-old Microsoft co-founder revealed that his foundation had already invested $100 billion in global health and development efforts and is preparing to deploy an additional $200 billion over the next 20 years, depending on economic conditions.
Gates’ impact in Nigeria is widely felt — from fighting malaria and polio, to boosting education, championing digital literacy, and helping create platforms where data and innovation can help tackle deep-rooted problems.
The CFR award is a rare honour usually reserved for individuals whose work has significantly elevated Nigeria’s profile on the global stage or contributed to national development.
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