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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated two prominent Nigerians, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, and Vice President for Global Impact at OpenAI, Anna Makanju, on their selection for the prestigious Devex Power 50 List for 2026.
The duo earned spots alongside 48 other global influencers, including Ghana’s President John Mahama, for their pivotal roles in shaping international development, according to a State House press release issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu praised their achievements as a reflection of Nigeria’s boundless talent. “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 stated.
The Devex Power 50, an annual ranking by the global development news platform Devex, spotlights the 50 most influential individuals, organisations, and initiatives driving the future of worldwide development.
Prof. Pate, a former World Bank global director for health, nutrition, and population, stands out for championing improved healthcare access in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, with a focus on domestic sourcing of health products. Devex highlighted his broader push to reform international health infrastructure, positioning him as one of Africa’s most recognized health ministers.
Meanwhile, Makanju, who previously served as Special Adviser to US President Joe Biden, leads model deployment, policy, and governance at OpenAI, the world’s leading AI firm. Devex described her as a frontrunner in AI governance: “She is 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.”
President Tinubu urged both honorees to sustain their momentum. He charged Pate and Makanju “to continue working assiduously and striving for excellence in their chosen fields of human endeavour to further impact development worldwide.”
