President Tinubu Honours Bill Gates With Nigerian National Award

Bola Ahmed Tinubu (left) and Bill Gates (right)

Source: Africa Publicity

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has conferred the Nigerian National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Microsoft co-founder and American philanthropist, Bill Gates.

Mr. Tinubu presented the award to Mr. Gates in Nigeria on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in recognition of his “decades-long commitment to improving lives through interventions in global health & polio eradication, education, digital innovation, and agricultural development, especially in Nigeria and across Africa.”

According to Mr. Tinubu, “Bill Gates’ contributions have saved millions through the Gates Foundation and many such initiatives, uplifted communities, and inspired global action.

Meanwhile, he shared that he and Mr. Gates “had meaningful conversations on deepening our collaboration in health systems, innovation, and youth development, reaffirming our shared belief that real progress begins when we invest in people.”

He says “Nigeria remains open to ideas, partnerships, and actions that move humanity forward.”

Donations to Africa

Mr. Gates recently said the majority of his $200 billion donations over the next two decades will be directed towards Africa, with a focus on partnering with African governments that prioritize the health and wellbeing of their people.

Delivering an an address Monday, June 2, 2025, in Nelson Mandela Hall at the African Union, Mr. Gates appealed to African leaders to seize the moment to accelerate progress in health and development through innovation and partnership, despite current headwinds.

He recounted that “I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa.”

Addressing over 12,000 government officials, diplomats, health workers, development partners, and youth leaders in person and online, Mr. Gates underscored the critical role of African leadership and ingenuity in driving the continent’s health and economic future.

According to him, “By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity – and that path is an exciting thing to be part of.”

Mr. Gates called for prioritizing primary healthcare, emphasizing that “investing in primary healthcare has the greatest impact on health and wellbeing.”

“With primary healthcare, what we’ve learned is that helping the mother be healthy and have great nutrition before she gets pregnant, while she is pregnant, delivers the strongest results. Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years as well makes all the difference.”

Gates’ speech highlighted how countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia are showing what’s possible when bold leadership harnesses innovation. From expanding frontline health services and using data to cut child mortality, to deploying advanced tools against malaria and HIV, and safeguarding primary healthcare despite fiscal strain—these country-led efforts are driving scalable, homegrown progress.