President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR)—Nigeria’s third-highest national honour—on Bill Gates, the American billionaire philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft.
The honour was bestowed on Gates during a private ceremony at the President’s residence in Lagos on Tuesday.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the award recognises Gates’ decades-long contributions to maternal health, agriculture, and the fight against infectious diseases in Nigeria. President Tinubu praised Gates as a global role model who has continually uplifted the poor and vulnerable around the world.
“Today, I would like to share my happiness and acknowledge one of the greatest human beings in the world,” President Tinubu said.
“Thank you, Bill Gates, for your unwavering commitment to humanity. It is truly inspiring to leaders around the globe, including the one standing before you.”
He added that the honour was a token of Nigeria’s gratitude for Gates’ tireless efforts to improve lives both within and beyond the country.
The CFR rank sits just below the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON)—titles typically reserved for presidents and vice presidents, respectively. The CFR is awarded to individuals who have made notable contributions to Nigeria’s development and international reputation.
This recognition comes just a day after Bill Gates reaffirmed his dedication to the African continent. Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Gates announced that the bulk of the $200 billion the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation plans to disburse over the next two decades will be invested in Africa’s health and development sectors.
“I’ve pledged that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years, and the majority of that will support efforts to address Africa’s biggest challenges,” Gates said.
He commended African governments that prioritize citizens’ well-being and urged for increased investment in primary healthcare, which he described as the most effective way to improve health outcomes on the continent.
