Tinubu Honours Bill Gates With CFR Award for Contributions to Health and Development

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on American philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, in recognition of his long-standing contributions to health, education, and poverty alleviation in Nigeria and across Africa.

The honour was presented during Gates’ recent visit to Nigeria, where he met with President Tinubu and other key officials to discuss reforms in the country’s primary healthcare system.

Gates is also participating in the Goalkeepers Nigeria event and holding talks with scientists and stakeholders focused on scaling up AI-powered health solutions.

The CFR is one of Nigeria’s highest national honours, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation’s development or international reputation.

Speaking during his visit, the 69-year-old Gates described his work in Africa as both a “moral responsibility and a strategic investment.”

Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which he co-chairs, Gates has already committed $100 billion to global health and development initiatives. The foundation has announced plans to invest an additional $200 billion over the coming decades across Africa, depending on market trends and inflation.