President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the director-general and global liaison for the newly established Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership. This partnership stems from agreements reached during the President’s official visit to Beijing in early September.
Tegbe, a first-class graduate in civil engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University (1988), will report directly to the President, tasked with overseeing the implementation of key agreements made between Nigeria and China. With over 35 years of experience in business strategy, Tegbe is expected to drive Nigeria’s economic and infrastructural transformation through this collaboration. He is also a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
In his role, Tegbe will immediately submit a strategic action plan aimed at ensuring Nigeria fully benefits from the agreements signed in Beijing. This plan will include specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for various projects. These agreements focus on expanding Nigeria’s rail network, upgrading power distribution systems, creating industrial parks, and improving agricultural practices through knowledge sharing and technology transfer.
The partnership also extends to healthcare, with both countries committing to establish hospital alliances, medical research collaboration, and deploying Chinese healthcare professionals to support Nigeria’s healthcare system. Additionally, education will be a focus, particularly in vocational training and STEM education, with China set to aid in the establishment of engineering technology academies and scholarships for Nigerian students.
Tegbe’s vast experience includes leadership roles at KPMG, where he served as senior partner and head of advisory services across Africa and the Middle East. He has advised Fortune 500 companies and African conglomerates on strategic planning and investment, and led subnational governments, including Oyo and Ekiti states, in investment drives across several countries.
President Tinubu’s visit to China also coincided with the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), during which Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged 360 billion yuan (approximately $51 billion) in new financing to African nations over the next three years. This includes 30 major infrastructure projects aimed at boosting connectivity and job creation across Africa, with Nigeria positioned to be a significant beneficiary.
Tegbe’s appointment underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to ensuring the strategic partnership yields tangible socioeconomic benefits for Nigeria, as the country seeks to diversify its economy and strengthen its infrastructure.
