President Bola Tinubu has conferred one of Nigeria’s highest national honors, the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), on Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates. The award recognizes Gates’ decades-long commitment to improving lives through interventions in global health, polio eradication, education, digital innovation, and agricultural development, particularly in Nigeria and Africa.

During the ceremony at his private residence in Lagos, Tinubu praised Gates’ dedication to humanity, describing it as “highly remarkable” and an inspiration to leaders worldwide. “Today, I would like to share my happiness and respect and acknowledge one of the greatest human beings in the world,” Tinubu said. “All I need to say is thank you, Bill Gates, for your indivisible commitment to humanity.”

Gates expressed gratitude for the honor and emphasized the importance of collaboration with Nigerian partners to strengthen the country’s health systems. He also discussed initiatives to reform primary healthcare and participated in the Goalkeepers Nigeria event, focusing on Africa’s innovation future.

The Gates Foundation has invested over $2.8 billion in Nigeria, primarily in health, agriculture, and poverty reduction. Gates pledged that the majority of his foundation’s $200 billion fund over the next 20 years will be allocated to improving health and development in Africa.

In a separate meeting, Tinubu received a courtesy visit from suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, marking their first publicly confirmed meeting since the emergency rule in March 2025. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, was also present at the ceremony honoring Bill Gates.