Tinubu Appoints Joseph Tegbe as Director-General for Nigeria-China Partnership
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Joseph Tegbe as the Director-General and global liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership. This decision follows agreements established during Tinubu’s recent visit to China in early September 2024.
Joseph Tegbe, who graduated with first-class honors in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1988, will report directly to the President. His appointment was announced in a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
As the leader of this strategic partnership, Tegbe will be tasked with developing an immediate action plan aimed at maximizing Nigeria’s benefits from the agreements forged in Beijing. The plan will include specific deliverables, timelines, and performance indicators across various cooperative areas, including infrastructure, technology transfer, and economic diversification.
“Mr. Tegbe will oversee day-to-day operations and maintain ongoing dialogue with Chinese counterparts to ensure that all objectives align with Nigeria’s national development goals,” the statement emphasized.
This collaboration comes on the heels of commitments made by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, where he pledged 360 billion yuan (approximately $51 billion) in new financing for African nations over the next three years. Xi also announced support for 30 infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity across the continent and generating one million jobs.
During his visit to China, President Tinubu secured a promise from Xi to aid Nigeria in diversifying its economy, developing infrastructure, and enhancing job creation. Key agreements include expanding Nigeria’s rail network, upgrading power distribution systems, and establishing new industrial parks.
Health initiatives will see the two countries forming hospital alliances and collaborating on medical research, along with deploying Chinese healthcare professionals to bolster Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The educational aspect of the partnership will focus on vocational training, STEM education, and academic exchanges, including the establishment of engineering technology academies and scholarships for Nigerian youth to acquire essential workforce skills.
With nearly 35 years of experience in business strategy, Tegbe previously served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG in Africa, extending his influence to the Middle East. He has also led investment missions for several subnational governments in Nigeria, engaging with countries like South Africa, China, and the United Arab Emirates.
