Microsoft co-founder and big charity donor, Bill Gates has been conferred with Nigeria’s third highest national honour, Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). The award was in recognition of Gates’s contributions to health, education, and poverty alleviation—particularly in Nigeria and across Africa. 
The award was presented during Gates’ recent visit to Nigeria, where he met with Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu and other government officials to discuss reforms in the country’s primary healthcare system.
According to the President’s Official statement via his verified social media handle X:
Today, I conferred the Nigerian National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Mr Bill Gates 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. Bill Gates’ contributions have saved millions through the Gates Foundation and many such initiatives, uplifted communities, and inspired global action. We also 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. Nigeria remains open to ideas, partnerships, and actions that move humanity forward.
In May 2025, Bill Gates pledged the majority of his $200bn fortune towards health and education services in Africa. Speaking at an event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the 69-year-old said that his pledge would focus on “unleashing the human potential through health, through education” across the continent, adding: “Every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity.”
His foundation plans to concentrate on primary healthcare, especially improving maternal and child health.
Bill Gates said he did not want to die a rich man as he would have given away all his wealth on charity before death. According to Gates, “People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them”. Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975 alongside Paul Allen. The company soon became a dominant force in the software industry. Over the years, Gates has gradually stepped back from day-to-day operations, resigning as CEO in 2000 and as chairman in 2014. Today, he focuses mostly on philanthropic work, while still serving as an advisor to Microsoft.
