President Bola Tinubu has appointed Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the Director-General and Global Liaison for the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China, following agreements reached during Tinubu’s visit to China in early September, Okay.ng reports.
The appointment was announced in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. Tegbe will coordinate day-to-day operations and serve as the primary liaison between Nigeria and China to ensure that all objectives of the partnership are met and aligned with Nigeria’s national development goals.
Tegbe’s role will involve defining specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators across various areas of cooperation. These will include priority infrastructure projects, targeted investments, and the expected socioeconomic benefits for Nigeria.
During the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping pledged 360 billion Yuan (about $51 billion) in financing for African nations over the next three years, along with support for 30 infrastructure projects aimed at boosting connectivity and creating one million jobs.
President Tinubu’s visit to China also secured commitments for supporting Nigeria’s economic diversification, infrastructure, technology transfer, and job creation.
Tegbe, a first-class civil engineering graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University, is expected to submit a strategic action plan that will help Nigeria maximize the benefits of the agreements reached in Beijing. He will report directly to President Tinubu.
Tegbe is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
He was previously a senior partner and head of advisory services at KPMG in Africa, with responsibilities extending to the Middle East.
