President Bola Tinubu has appointed Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership established during the President’s visit in early September.
Tegbe, a first-class graduate in civil engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1988, will report directly to President Tinubu, as announced by Bayo Onanuga, the Presidential spokesman, on Sunday.
He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
Onanuga stated, “He will immediately submit a strategic action plan to ensure Nigeria maximizes the benefits from the agreements made in Beijing.”
In his role as the czar of the strategic partnership, Tegbe will oversee daily operations, engage regularly with Chinese counterparts, and ensure that all commitments align with national development objectives, he added.
Onanuga explained that Tegbe’s strategic plan will outline specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for each area of cooperation, encompassing priority projects, anticipated investments, and expected socioeconomic outcomes.
At the upcoming 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Xi Jinping has pledged 360 billion yuan—approximately $51 billion—in new financing to African nations over the next three years.
He has also committed to supporting 30 infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity across the continent and creating one million jobs.
During his official visit preceding FOCAC, President Tinubu secured a commitment from President Xi to back Nigeria’s economic diversification, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and job creation efforts.
Both Nigeria and China have agreed to collaborate on expanding Nigeria’s rail network, upgrading power distribution systems, and establishing new industrial parks.
The two nations plan to enhance education and talent development in Nigeria, emphasizing vocational training, STEM education, and academic exchanges. Joint initiatives will include the establishment of engineering technology academies and the provision of scholarships to equip Nigerian youth with skills essential for a modern workforce.
Additionally, they aim to improve Nigeria’s agricultural practices through knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and investments in sustainable farming techniques.
Tegbe, who will be responsible for actualizing these agreements, is 58 years old.
Following his education at Federal Government College, Ogbomosho, and Obafemi Awolowo University, he boasts approximately 35 years of experience in business strategy.
He previously served as the senior partner and head of advisory services at KPMG Africa, overseeing a portfolio that included responsibilities in the Middle East.
Throughout his career, he has advised numerous Fortune 500 companies and African conglomerates on strategic planning, investment, and portfolio reviews.
Moreover, he has led investment initiatives for subnational governments, including Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, and Bayelsa, directing efforts to South Africa, Denmark, China, India, Singapore, and the UAE.
