Nigeria-China Partnership: Tinubu Names Tegbe DG, Global Liaison Officer

By Ayodele Oni

To consolidate earlier agreement with China, President Bola Tinubu has named a 58 years old Joseph Tegbe as the Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership.

President Tinubu, during a visit to China in early September 2024, had entered into an agreement with the country in several areas including technology transfer.

Tegbe, a 1988 first-class graduate in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, will report directly to the President.

The appointment was disclosed in a statement from the State House, issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday.

The statement noted that Tegbe, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, will “immediately submit a strategic action plan to enable Nigeria to benefit from the agreements between the two countries in Beijing.

“As the leader of the strategic partnership, he will oversee day-to-day operations, engage continuously with Chinese counterparts, and ensure all deliverables are aligned with national development goals.

“At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, President Xi Jinping pledged 360 billion yuan (approximately $51 billion) in new financing for African nations over the next three years.

“He also committed to supporting 30 infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity across the continent and creating one million jobs.

“During his official visit before FOCAC, President Tinubu secured a commitment from President Xi to support Nigeria’s economic diversification, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and job creation.

“Among the agreements, Nigeria and China will collaborate on expanding Nigeria’s rail network, upgrading power distribution, and creating new industrial parks.”

The two countries have also agreed to form hospital alliances, collaborate on medical research, and send Chinese healthcare professionals to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

In the education sector, the partnership will focus on vocational training, STEM education, and academic exchanges. This includes joint initiatives to establish engineering technology academies and provide scholarships for Nigerian youth to acquire modern workforce skills.

Additionally, the collaboration seeks to improve Nigeria’s agricultural practices through knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and investments in sustainable farming techniques.

Tegbe is expected to bring his nearly 35 years of experience in business strategy. He previously held the position of Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG in Africa, with responsibilities extending to the Middle East.