Tinubu Honours Bill Gates With National Award

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in recognition of his global philanthropic work, especially in Nigeria.

At the ceremony held in Lagos, President Tinubu praised Gates for his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable across the world through investments in healthcare, agriculture, and infectious disease research.

“Today, I share my deepest respect and gratitude for one of the world’s greatest humanitarians,” Tinubu said. “Thank you, Bill Gates, for your indivisible commitment to humanity. It is highly remarkable and an inspiration to leaders everywhere, including myself.”

In response, Gates expressed gratitude for the honour and dedicated it to the team at the Gates Foundation. He highlighted the Foundation’s 25-year involvement in Nigeria’s health sector, especially efforts to reduce child mortality through vaccine distribution and the successful fight against polio.

“From the beginning, our goal was to support Nigeria’s health sector,” Gates said. “We’ve made incredible progress—from introducing new vaccines to tackling malnutrition and expanding access to healthcare.”

He emphasized the importance of continued partnerships, including with President Tinubu, Minister of Health Muhammad Pate, and business magnate Aliko Dangote. Gates noted that Nigeria had achieved one of the world’s best results in delivering HPV vaccines to girls aged 9–14, helping reduce cervical cancer deaths.

Looking ahead, Gates said the Foundation is committed to eliminating malaria and malnutrition in Nigeria, stating: “Some goals may seem ambitious, but in the next twenty years, we aim to eradicate malaria. I’ve committed my entire wealth to this cause.”

Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Pate described Gates’s recognition as well deserved, citing the Foundation’s over $2 billion investment in Nigeria’s health, agriculture, and digital economy. He praised the Gates-Dangote partnership, especially in mobilising traditional leaders in Northern Nigeria to boost immunisation and eliminate polio.

“Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote helped transform skepticism into acceptance. That’s how we beat polio,” Pate said.