LAGOS — In a significant diplomatic and development milestone, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday conferred the prestigious national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Microsoft co-founder and global philanthropist, Bill Gates.
The honour was presented during Gates’ official visit to Nigeria, where he is engaging with top federal and state leaders to advance the nation’s primary healthcare system and explore future-focused partnerships in innovation and development.
The ceremony took place in Lagos, with Africa’s richest man and business magnate, Aliko Dangote, in attendance, underscoring the event’s importance to both Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
According to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates’ visit is part of a broader African tour, which includes stops in Ethiopia and other countries. His focus in Nigeria includes strengthening primary healthcare reforms, promoting scientific innovation, and accelerating the country’s strategy on artificial intelligence (AI) and health-based technology.
“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,” a statement from the Foundation read.
Gates is also expected to participate in the Goalkeepers Nigeria event, which highlights Africa’s innovation potential, and meet with local scientists and partners involved in AI-powered health solutions.
This visit follows the Foundation’s May 8 announcement of a landmark $200 billion commitment over the next two decades to advance global health and development—a testament to Gates’ pledge to donate virtually all of his wealth to philanthropic causes.
The opening of Foundation offices in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Senegal—alongside the first African hub in Ethiopia—further reflects its deepening commitment to sustainable development across the continent.
Bill Gates’ recognition with the CFR award marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s partnership with global change-makers, as the country seeks to leverage innovation and investment to transform critical sectors like healthcare and technology.
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