President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday in Lagos honoured Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). Tinubu praised Gates for his inspirational global leadership in improving the lives of the poor and underprivileged, highlighting his work in maternal health, agriculture, and infectious disease research.
“Thank you, Bill Gates, for your indivisible commitment to humanity. It is highly remarkable and inspires leaders worldwide, including myself,” the President said during the ceremony.
Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate lauded Gates’s long-standing contribution to Nigeria’s development, noting that the Gates Foundation and its partners, including Aliko Dangote, have invested over \$2 billion in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and the digital economy. Pate credited the foundation’s efforts, alongside traditional leaders, for overcoming vaccine hesitancy and helping eradicate polio in Nigeria.
Bill Gates expressed gratitude for the honour and acknowledged the collaborative efforts with President Tinubu, Pate, and Dangote in advancing Nigeria’s health goals over 25 years. He noted significant progress in reducing child mortality through new vaccines and emphasized the importance of reaching every child.
Highlighting ongoing efforts, Gates shared that the foundation has introduced HPV vaccines to combat cervical cancer, which causes around 7,000 deaths annually among Nigerian women. He praised Nigeria’s success in vaccinating girls aged 9-14, which could provide lifetime protection.
Gates also discussed ambitious goals, including malaria eradication within 20 years, and reaffirmed his commitment to investing his entire wealth towards improving Nigeria’s health sector. The event was attended by Aliko Dangote, Minister of Special Duties Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo, Gates Foundation executives, and other dignitaries.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President(Information & Strategy)June 3, 2025
Source : https://statehouse.gov.ng/
