Tinubu appoints Tegbe as DG for Nigeria-China strategic partnership

President Bola Tinubu has named Mr. Joseph Tegbe as the Director-General and global liaison for Nigeria’s strategic partnership with China, following agreements made during Tinubu’s visit to China in early September 2024.

Tegbe, a distinguished civil engineer and first-class graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, will report directly to the President.

This appointment was announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday.

According to the release, Tegbe, who is also a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, is tasked with submitting a strategic action plan.

This plan will focus on maximizing the benefits of the agreements reached between Nigeria and China during the visit to 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.

“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.”

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.

The statement continued, “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 also agreed to establish hospital alliances, collaborate on medical research, and deploy Chinese healthcare professionals to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

In education, the partnership will 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.

Tegbe, 58, brings nearly 35 years of experience in business strategy. He was the Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG in Africa, with responsibilities extending to the Middle East.

He also led subnational governments, including Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, and Bayelsa, on investment missions to countries such as South Africa, Denmark, China, India, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.