President Bola Tinubu has bestowed the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) honor upon Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and renowned philanthropist, who is visiting Nigeria to engage with federal and state leaders on strengthening the country’s primary healthcare system.
The award ceremony took place on Tuesday in Lagos during Gates' visit to Nigeria, where he is engaging in discussions on important health and development initiatives.
President Tinubu presented the Medal of Honor to Gates, with Aliko Dangote, Africa's wealthiest individual and founder of the Dangote Group, also in attendance at the event.
According to a statement from the Gates Foundation, Gates will also participate in a Goalkeepers Nigeria event focused on Africa’s innovation future and hold talks with local scientists and partners contributing to Nigeria’s national strategy on artificial intelligence and health solutions.
“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 Foundation added that the opening of offices in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal, alongside its first African office in Ethiopia, which was established over a decade ago, reflects its commitment to deepening partnerships across the continent.
Gates’ visit follows a major announcement by the Gates Foundation on May 8, pledging to invest $200 billion over the next 20 years to advance global health and development—part of Gates’ commitment to donate “virtually all of his wealth” to the Foundation.