President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in recognition of his decades-long contributions to improving health care and reducing poverty in Nigeria.
The award ceremony took place in Lagos, where President Tinubu described Gates as a global figure whose dedication to humanitarian causes serves as an inspiration to world leaders.
“Bill Gates has demonstrated an indivisible commitment to humanity. His work in health, agriculture, and poverty alleviation, particularly in Nigeria, is remarkable and worthy of recognition,” Tinubu said.
The President also praised the efforts of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has invested billions of dollars in Nigeria to combat diseases, improve maternal health, and support digital innovation.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Health and Social Development, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the recognition was long overdue, citing Gates’ impactful collaboration with Nigerian institutions and philanthropist Aliko Dangote.
“Together, Mr. Gates and Alhaji Dangote helped transform immunisation efforts, especially in Northern Nigeria where misinformation once hindered vaccination campaigns,” Pate said.
According to the minister, the Gates Foundation has committed over $2 billion to various sectors in Nigeria, including health care, agriculture, and the digital economy.
In his remarks, Gates expressed gratitude for the national honour and reiterated his Foundation’s commitment to improving health outcomes in Nigeria. He highlighted achievements in reducing child mortality, increasing vaccine access, and eradicating polio.
“Nigeria achieved one of the best results globally in rolling out the HPV vaccine for girls aged 9 to 14, which provides lifetime protection against cervical cancer,” Gates noted.
He also disclosed the Foundation’s goal to help eradicate malaria in Nigeria within the next 20 years and pledged to commit his entire wealth to causes that improve global health.
Present at the ceremony were Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Zephaniah Jisalo, executives of the Gates Foundation, and Dr. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
