President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 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 ceremony, held in Lagos, was in recognition of Gates’ longstanding contributions to global health, education, and development through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, especially in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking at the event, President Tinubu commended Gates for his commitment to humanitarian causes and his partnership with Nigeria in tackling critical challenges such as polio eradication, malaria control, and improved healthcare delivery.
Bill Gates, in his response, expressed gratitude for the honour and reaffirmed his foundation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts in building a healthier and more equitable society.
The CFR award is one of Nigeria’s highest national honours, reserved for individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the country and humanity.
