Mr. Joseph Tegbe has been appointed as the Director-General and global liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership.
President Tinubu’s visit to China in early September 2024, during which he reached significant agreements to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations, precedes this development.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, made the announcement in a State House release on Sunday.
The statement reads: “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.
“In the strategic plan, he will outline specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for each area of cooperation, including priority projects, projected investments, and expected socioeconomic outcomes.”
Tegbe, a distinguished professional with a first-class degree in civil engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University (1988), will report directly to President Tinubu.
With nearly 35 years of experience in business strategy, Tegbe is well-equipped to lead this strategic partnership. His tenure as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG in Africa, with responsibilities extending to the Middle East, will also prove invaluable in this role.
Nigeria and China have a long history of cooperation, dating back to 1971, when they formally established diplomatic relations.
China has become one of Nigeria’s key trading and export partners, with bilateral trade reaching $19.27 billion in 2019.
The two countries have also collaborated on various projects, including the development of Nigeria’s rail network, power distribution, and telecommunications infrastructure.
President Tinubu’s recent agreements from his visit to China should accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth.
These agreements include expanding Nigeria’s rail network, upgrading power distribution, and creating new industrial parks.
The partnership will also focus on vocational training, STEM education, and academic exchanges, with joint initiatives to establish engineering technology academies and provide scholarships for Nigerian youth to acquire modern workforce skills.
Additionally, the partnership aims to improve Nigeria’s agricultural practices through knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and investment in sustainable farming techniques.
The two countries have also agreed to establish hospital alliances, collaborate on medical research, and deploy Chinese healthcare professionals to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
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