President Bola Tinubu has appointed Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership established during the President’s visit in early September.
In a statement, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that Mr Tegbe, who graduated with first-class honours in civil engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1988, will report directly to the president.
The statement further noted that Mr Tegbe is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
Mr Onanuga stressed that Mr Tegbe will promptly submit a strategic action plan aimed at maximizing Nigeria’s benefits from the agreements reached during the Beijing discussions.
Furthermore, he said Mr Tegbe will oversee day-to-day operations, maintain continuous engagement with Chinese counterparts, and ensure that all deliverables align with Nigeria’s national development goals.
“In the strategic plan, he will outline the specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for each area of cooperation. This will include priority projects, projected investments and expected socioeconomic outcomes.
“At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping pledged 360 billion yuan, or about $51 billion, in new financing to African nations in the next three years. He also pledged support for 30 infrastructure projects to boost connectivity across the continent and create one million jobs”, the statement added.
During his official visit before the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Tinubu secured a commitment from President Xi to support Nigeria’s economic diversification initiatives, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and job creation.
Nigeria and China, among other partners, agreed to collaborate on expanding Nigeria’s rail network, upgrading power distribution systems, and establishing new industrial parks.
The two nations also committed to forming hospital alliances and collaborating on medical research. As part of this agreement, Chinese healthcare professionals will be deployed to bolster Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Furthermore, China and Nigeria plan to work together to advance education and talent development, emphasizing vocational training, STEM education, and academic exchanges. Joint initiatives, including the establishment of engineering technology academies and the provision of scholarships, aim to equip Nigerian youth with the skills necessary for a modern workforce.
In addition, both countries are set to enhance Nigeria’s agricultural practices through knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and investments in sustainable farming techniques.
Tegbe, a key figure in ensuring the implementation of these agreements, is 58 years old. He is an alumnus of Federal Government College, Ogbomosho, and Obafemi Awolowo University, boasting approximately 35 years of experience in business strategy.
Previously, he served as the senior partner and head of advisory services at KPMG in Africa, overseeing a portfolio that included responsibilities in the Middle East.
Throughout his career, he has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies and prominent African conglomerates, providing expert advice on strategic planning, investment, and portfolio management.
Additionally, he has spearheaded investment initiatives for subnational governments, such as Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, and Bayelsa, conducting investment drives in South Africa, Denmark, China, India, Singapore, and the UAE.
