President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) to Microsoft co-founder and global philanthropist, Bill Gates.
The recognition was conferred on Tuesday in Lagos during Gates’ ongoing visit to Nigeria, which focuses on strengthening the country’s primary healthcare system and advancing health and development collaborations.
Photographs from the ceremony show President Tinubu presenting the CFR medal to Gates, with Africa’s richest man and business magnate, Aliko Dangote, in attendance.
As chair of the Gates Foundation, Gates is in Nigeria to engage with both federal and state leaders in support of primary healthcare reforms. His agenda also includes participation in a Goalkeepers Nigeria event centred on innovation across Africa, as well as meetings with local scientists and stakeholders working on Nigeria’s strategy for artificial intelligence in health.
“From Addis Ababa, Gates will travel to Nigeria, where he will meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and engage with federal and state leaders to discuss Nigeria’s primary health care reforms,” the Gates Foundation stated.
The Foundation also noted that the establishment of offices in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal — following the launch of its first African office in Ethiopia more than a decade ago — highlights its commitment to deepening collaboration across the continent.
Gates’ visit comes shortly after the Gates Foundation’s announcement on May 8 of a $200 billion commitment over the next two decades to support global health and development. This pledge is part of Bill Gates’ personal vow to donate “virtually all of his wealth” to the Foundation.
