President Bola Tinubu has awarded American philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in recognition of his contributions to health, education, and poverty alleviation, particularly in Nigeria and across Africa.
The honour was presented during Gates’ visit to Nigeria, which included meetings with President Tinubu and other officials to discuss reforms in the country’s primary healthcare system. His itinerary also includes participation in the Goalkeepers Nigeria event and engagements with scientists and stakeholders working to expand AI-driven health solutions.
The CFR is one of Nigeria’s highest honours, reserved for individuals who have significantly impacted national development or advanced the country’s standing globally.
Gates, who is 69, said his ongoing engagement with Africa is both a “moral responsibility and a strategic investment.”
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which he co-chairs, has already committed $100 billion to global development and health initiatives, with plans to direct an additional $200 billion toward the continent in the coming decades, subject to market conditions and inflation.
