Global philanthropist and tech pioneer, Bill Gates, was on Tuesday night conferred with one of Nigeria’s highest national honours, the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a ceremony held in Lagos. The event, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Marina, saw dignitaries from both within and outside Nigeria in attendance, underscoring the magnitude of the recognition.
The CFR award, one of Nigeria’s most esteemed civilian honours, is reserved for individuals whose contributions have significantly advanced the nation’s development and human capital. Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was acknowledged for his enduring commitment to public health, agricultural innovation, and education in Nigeria, particularly through the Foundation’s extensive work over the past two decades.
President Tinubu, while presenting the award, commended Gates for his unwavering support to Nigeria and the African continent at large. He highlighted the impact of the Gates Foundation’s initiatives in areas such as immunisation, polio eradication, malaria control, and maternal health. Tinubu also praised Gates for being a steadfast partner in driving transformative progress in sectors that directly affect the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Bill Gates, who has visited Nigeria multiple times in furtherance of the Foundation’s health and development goals, expressed gratitude for the recognition. In his remarks, he reaffirmed his belief in the potential of Nigeria’s youth and the importance of investing in innovation, healthcare, and education to unlock the country’s future.
The honour comes at a time when Nigeria continues to engage with global partners to tackle critical challenges in healthcare delivery, poverty reduction, and digital transformation. Gates’ relationship with Nigeria has long been marked by collaborative efforts with federal and state governments, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector, including partnerships with institutions like the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and local research bodies.
With this conferment, Bill Gates joins a distinguished list of global figures who have received the CFR title in recognition of their significant contributions to Nigeria’s national development. The ceremony not only symbolised gratitude for past support but also reaffirmed the federal government’s openness to continued collaboration with international stakeholders in achieving inclusive and sustainable growth.
