Tinubu celebrates Nigerians’ global spotlight on Devex Power 50 List

Abdullateef Fowewe

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated two prominent Nigerians, Professor Muhammed Ali Pate and Anna Adeola Makanju, for their inclusion in the prestigious Devex Power 50 List for 2026, recognising their pivotal roles in global development.

In a statement issued Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu hailed the duo’s achievements alongside 48 others, including Ghana’s President John Mahama.

“By their nomination, Pate and Makanju have made Nigeria proud. The honour is another testament to the infinite talents and potentials that abound in Nigeria and among Diaspora Nigerians,” the President remarked.

The Devex Power 50 annually spotlights the most influential figures, organizations, and initiatives shaping global development.

Prof. Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and former World Bank global director for health, nutrition, and population, earned recognition for championing healthcare access in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, with a focus on domestic sourcing of health products.

Devex highlighted his broader push, “as he fights to reform the international global health infrastructure—making him one of the most recognised health ministers on the African continent and beyond.”

Anna Makanju, Vice President of Global Impact at OpenAI and former Special Adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, leads model deployment, policy, and governance for the AI powerhouse.

Devex praised her as “leading OpenAI’s global outreach to governments, helping draft the first wave of AI guardrails and advising leaders on how to balance innovation with public safety,” positioning her at the forefront of AI’s role in development.

Tinubu urged both to “continue working assiduously and striving for excellence in their chosen fields of human endeavour to further impact development worldwide.”