President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and Anna Makanju, Vice President of Global Impact at OpenAI, for their selection to the influential Devex Power 50 list for 2026.
The presidential commendation, conveyed in a statement by spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Friday in Abuja, recognizes the pair among 50 global individuals and initiatives deemed most impactful in shaping the future of international development. Ghana’s President John Mahama was also named to the annual curated list.
President Tinubu described the recognition as well-deserved, stating, “By their nomination, Pate and Makanju have made Nigeria proud.” He added that the honour underscores the significant talent and potential within Nigeria and its diaspora. The President urged both honorees to continue their work driving excellence and development globally.
Devex, a media platform focused on global development, listed Prof. Pate for his leadership in advocating for improved healthcare access in Nigeria, particularly through policies promoting domestic sourcing of health products. The profile noted his advocacy extends to reforming international global health infrastructure, establishing him as one of the most recognized health ministers on the African continent and beyond.
Makanju was recognized for her pivotal role in model deployment, policy, and governance at OpenAI. Devex highlighted her emergence as a key figure influencing how next-generation artificial intelligence systems will shape global development. The profile cited her leadership in OpenAI’s global government outreach, helping draft early AI governance frameworks, and advising world leaders on balancing technological innovation with public safety. She previously served as Special Adviser to former U.S. President Joe Biden.
The Devex Power 50 list identifies actors with the potential to significantly influence development agendas in the coming year. The recognition of both a senior Nigerian government minister and a Nigerian leader in global tech underscores the nation’s diverse contributions to critical international fields, from public health to frontier technology governance.
