Nigeria asks Gates to prove he can pay his way

Nigeria asks Gates to prove he can pay his way


Multi-billionaire initially refused visa

The Nigerian government recently questioned whether Microsoft chairman Bill Gates could afford to support himself during a planned visit to the African country.

According to a report on Gizmodo, Nigerian officials required proof that the world's richest man would not reside in Nigeria indefinitely and cause a strain on social services before granting him a visa.

Travel and visa assistance company CIBT helped Gates to overcome the problem by obtaining a letter from his bank vouching for his personal wealth. The Nigerian government then issued Gates with his visa.

Forbes recently announced that Gates has retained his standing at the top of the Rich List with a personal fortune estimated at $59bn.