President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, lauding him for decades of work lifting the poor and transforming global health.
At a ceremony in Lagos, Tinubu hailed Gates for inspiring leaders worldwide through his tireless commitment to improving lives, particularly through his Foundation’s interventions in maternal health, agriculture, vaccine distribution, and disease eradication.
“All I need to say is thank you, Bill Gates, for your indivisible commitment to humanity,” the President said. “It is highly remarkable and an inspiration to leaders across the world.”
Gates, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the honour, which he dedicated to the team at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He noted the Foundation’s 25-year partnership with Nigeria, highlighting major strides in immunisation, maternal health, and the fight against polio.
He praised the collaboration with Nigerian leaders, including President Tinubu, Health Minister Muhammad Pate, and Aliko Dangote, which he said was crucial to overcoming vaccine resistance and strengthening public health.
Gates reaffirmed his commitment to investing his entire wealth over the next 20 years to fight disease and malnutrition, with the ambitious goal of eradicating malaria in Nigeria.
