President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Joseph Tegbe as the Director-General and global liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership. This follows the agreements reached during Tinubu’s visit to China in early September 2024.
Tegbe, a first-class Civil Engineering graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University, will report directly to the President, according to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
The statement highlighted that Tegbe will be responsible for submitting a strategic action plan aimed at ensuring Nigeria benefits from the agreements made between the two countries in Beijing.
He will oversee daily operations, engage with Chinese counterparts, and align key deliverables with Nigeria’s development goals. The plan is expected to outline specific projects, investments, timelines, and socioeconomic outcomes.
The partnership between Nigeria and China, secured during Tinubu’s official visit ahead of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), focuses on critical areas such as infrastructure, technology transfer, and job creation.
Key projects include expanding Nigeria’s rail network, upgrading power distribution, and establishing new industrial parks. Additionally, both countries agreed to collaborate on healthcare, vocational training, and agriculture.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had earlier pledged $51 billion in new financing for Africa, supporting infrastructure projects and job creation across the continent.
Tegbe, 58, brings nearly 35 years of experience in business strategy, having previously served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa. He has also led subnational governments on investment missions to several countries, including China, India, and the UAE.
