Tinubu Appoints Global Liaison Officer for China-Nigeria Strategic Partnership

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the Director General and Global Liaison for the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China.

This appointment was made over the weekend during the President’s recent visit to China.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the appointment in a statement released on Sunday.

According to the Presidential Spokesman, Tegbe, in his role as the Chief Strategic Action Representative (CSAR) of the partnership, is tasked with promptly submitting a strategic action plan to ensure that Nigeria maximizes the benefits from the agreements made in Beijing.

Additionally, he will oversee daily operations, maintain ongoing communication with Chinese counterparts, and ensure that all objectives are achieved in alignment with the National Development Goals.

As part of the strategic plan, Tegbe “will outline the specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for each area of cooperation. This will include priority projects, projected investments and expected socioeconomic outcomes.”

“At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping pledged 360 billion yuan, or about $51 billion, in new financing to African nations in the next three years. He also pledged support for 30 infrastructure projects to boost connectivity across the continent and create one million jobs.

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

“Nigeria and China, among others, agreed to collaborate on expanding Nigeria’s rail network, upgrading power distribution, and creating new industrial parks.

“Following his appointment, Tegbe, a 1988 first-class graduate in civil engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, will report directly to the President.”

He holds the designation of Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) as well as Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

Tegbe has also spearheaded investment initiatives for subnational governments, including Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, and Bayelsa, targeting countries such as South Africa, Denmark, China, India, Singapore, and the UAE.