President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist, Bill Gates, in recognition of his humanitarian work in Nigeria.
The president hailed Gates for his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the poor and underprivileged through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“Thank you, Bill Gates, for your indivisible commitment to humanity. It is an inspiration to leaders across the world,” President Tinubu said during the ceremony.
He praised Gates’ role in advancing maternal health, agriculture, and infectious disease research in Nigeria.
Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, described the award as well-deserved.
He noted that Gates and his ally, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, had invested over $2 billion in health, agriculture, and digital development in Nigeria.
Pate highlighted their work in Northern Nigeria, where traditional leaders were mobilized to improve vaccine acceptance and eliminate polio.In his response, Bill Gates expressed deep gratitude for the CFR honour.
He reaffirmed the Foundation’s goal to support Nigeria’s health sector and noted the country’s impressive progress, including lower child mortality and expanded vaccine coverage.
He emphasized the impact of introducing HPV vaccines to combat cervical cancer, and applauded Nigeria’s leadership in vaccine distribution to young girls aged 9–14.
Gates revealed ambitious goals, including the eradication of malaria within 20 years, and pledged to commit his entire wealth to health-focused causes globally—with Nigeria as a top priority.
The event was attended by Aliko Dangote, Minister of Special Duties Zephaniah Jisalo, senior Gates Foundation executives, and Dr. Ayuba Burki Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
Reporting by Abdullah Bello