Lagos, Nigeria – June 3, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday conferred the prestigious national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates.
The honour was bestowed in recognition of Gates’ significant contributions to Nigeria’s health, education, and development sectors through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The ceremony took place in Lagos, where President Tinubu recognized Gates for his commitment to improving healthcare systems, tackling infectious diseases, and supporting education and poverty alleviation efforts across Africa, particularly in Nigeria.
President Tinubu, while presenting the award, praised the efforts of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has over the years collaborated with Nigerian institutions to combat polio, malaria, and other pressing health challenges.
He lauded Gates as “a true friend of Nigeria and a beacon of hope for millions who have benefitted from his philanthropy.”
“This honour is a token of our profound gratitude. Mr. Gates has demonstrated, through action and resources, that partnership for development transcends borders. His dedication to humanity speaks volumes, and Nigeria proudly honours his contribution,” Tinubu declared.
Bill Gates expressed deep appreciation for the recognition, reaffirming his Foundation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s healthcare, agricultural, and educational sectors.
“Nigeria is a country of tremendous potential. We will continue working together to ensure more lives are saved and opportunities are created, especially for young people,” Gates said.
The CFR is one of Nigeria’s highest national honours and is traditionally bestowed on individuals whose service and impact have made a significant difference to the nation.
Dignitaries from government, diplomatic corps, business, and the development community attended the ceremony, marking it as a significant moment in Nigeria’s engagement with international philanthropic leaders.
The honour further strengthens ties between Nigeria and the Gates Foundation, which remains one of the most impactful non-governmental contributors to Nigeria’s health and development sectors.
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