LAGOS, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Bill Gates, the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in recognition of his decades-long contributions to global health, education, and poverty alleviation—particularly in Nigeria.
The honour was bestowed during a high-level event in Lagos on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, attended by top government figures including Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Pate, and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.
In his remarks, President Tinubu praised Gates as a “true partner in progress,” lauding the Gates Foundation’s strategic work with Nigeria on eradicating polio, combating malaria, and investing in primary healthcare reform.
“Your commitment has transcended philanthropy—it has changed lives, built systems, and restored hope to millions across Africa,” Tinubu said.
Bill Gates’ current visit to Nigeria comes on the heels of the foundation’s announcement to invest $200 billion over the next 20 years toward saving and improving lives globally, with a strong focus on Africa.
The foundation has been instrumental in providing life-saving vaccines, strengthening health systems, and driving scientific innovation on the continent.
The Gates Foundation’s work with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Global Fund has already helped avert more than 80 million deaths through efforts to combat AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
During his time in Nigeria, Gates is scheduled to participate in the Goalkeepers Nigeria event, which will spotlight Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
He will also meet with Nigerian scientists and innovators working on artificial intelligence and technology-driven health solutions.
Among the central themes of his meetings with Nigerian officials is primary healthcare reform—a sector Gates has long advocated as the foundation for equitable health access in developing countries.
His foundation has partnered closely with the Nigerian Ministry of Health to pilot scalable interventions aimed at improving outcomes in rural and underserved communities.
The CFR is one of Nigeria’s highest national honours and is rarely awarded to non-Nigerians.
Gates joins a short list of foreign nationals who have received the recognition for their sustained service to the Nigerian people.
In a brief response, Gates expressed gratitude for the honour, calling it “a humbling reminder of our shared duty to ensure that every life, no matter where it’s lived, has equal value.”
“This honour belongs to the countless Nigerian scientists, health workers, and policy champions who inspire our work every day,” Gates added.
