President Bola Tinubu conferred the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, for his significant contributions to health, education, and poverty reduction in Nigeria and Africa.

The award was presented during Gates' visit to Nigeria, where he met with Tinubu and other officials to discuss primary healthcare reforms.

His visit also included attending the Goalkeepers Nigeria event and engaging with scientists and stakeholders on AI-driven health solutions. The CFR is among Nigeria’s highest honors, recognizing individuals who have greatly impacted national development or elevated Nigeria’s global standing. Gates, aged 69, described his work in Africa as both a “moral responsibility and a strategic investment.”

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which he co-chairs, has invested $100 billion in global development and health, with plans to allocate an additional $200 billion to Africa in the coming decades, depending on market conditions and inflation.

ASA