President Bola Tinubu has awarded Bill Gates the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), Nigeria’s third-highest national honour, during a private ceremony in Lagos.
According to a statement from presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga, the honour recognises the billionaire’s decades-long involvement in improving health, agriculture and disease prevention in Nigeria through the Gates Foundation.
Mr Tinubu commended Gates for what he described as an “indivisible commitment to humanity,” praising his efforts to lift the underprivileged across the globe.
“All I need to say is thank you Bill Gates, for your indivisible commitment to humanity. It is highly remarkable. It is an inspiration to leaders across the world, including the one standing before you,” the president said.
The Gates Foundation’s Nigeria Commitment
The Gates Foundation has invested over $2.8 billion in Nigeria, the largest amount it has committed to any African nation. Its support spans healthcare delivery, agriculture, immunisation campaigns, malaria control and maternal health programmes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation contributed $1 million to Nigeria’s response efforts and previously awarded $2 million to the Nigerian Governors Forum. In late 2024 alone, $5.6 million was donated for flood relief and health reforms.
In 2022, Gates announced a $7 billion fund to support Nigeria and other African countries, focusing on long-term health and poverty alleviation goals.
A Well-Timed Honour
The national award came shortly after Gates reaffirmed his commitment to Africa’s development. At a recent event at the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia, he pledged that the bulk of the Gates Foundation’s $200 billion fund over the next 20 years would go to African countries.
He urged African leaders to increase investment in primary healthcare, noting it offers the highest return on wellbeing.
Voices from the Ceremony
Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, described the award as fitting, citing the Foundation’s influence in improving access to vaccines, agriculture support and digital health innovation.
He credited Gates and Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote for mobilising traditional leaders to boost immunisation awareness in Northern Nigeria—an initiative that played a key role in eliminating polio from the country.
Gates, in his speech, said the award represents recognition for the teams and partners behind the Foundation’s work across Nigeria. He praised ongoing collaborations with national and local leaders and reiterated goals like ending malaria and reducing child mortality through wider vaccine access.
Continued Involvement
Following the honour, Gates is scheduled to attend the “Goalkeepers Nigeria” event in Abuja. The forum will discuss innovation in primary healthcare and Nigeria’s developing AI policy.
Other dignitaries present at the ceremony included Aliko Dangote, Minister Zephaniah Jisalo, and Ayuba Burki Gufwan of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
Article updated 5 days ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
