Michael Onjewu, Abuja
Joseph Tegbe, the Director-General and Global Liaison of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, has arrived in China to enhance bilateral relations between the two nations.
Joseph Tegbe with the president of China Habour Engineering Martin Chen and the Managing Director Jason Wang during a meeting in Beijing
In September 2024, President Bola Tinubu appointed Tegbe to this role with a mandate to implement various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed between China and Nigeria during the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Tegbe is also tasked with promoting a deeper understanding of developmental programs between the two countries.
Some of the MoUs signed at the summit include: Cooperation on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); Peaceful application of nuclear energy; Strengthening cooperation on human resource development under the Global Development Initiative; and Media exchange and collaboration between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
According to a statement from the Directorate’s media department, Tegbe will engage with senior Chinese government officials and participate in strategic meetings aimed at finalizing agreements that will bolster the Nigerian economy in critical sectors such as agriculture, alternative energy, healthcare, mining, education, and technology.
“These agreements will focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, developing renewable energy sources, improving access to quality healthcare, harnessing Nigeria’s mineral resources, strengthening educational institutions, and fostering innovation and technological advancement in Nigeria,” the statement said.
“As the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, Tegbe is spearheading efforts to drive Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation through targeted Chinese investments, supporting China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and advancing Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The statement noted that the partnership is vital for Nigeria’s objective of becoming a net exporter to China within the next five years. It also serves as a platform for realizing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which seeks to explore new developmental pathways with China as a key partner.
Tegbe’s visit follows the recent trip of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Nigeria, where he met with President Bola Tinubu and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar to strengthen bilateral relations and facilitate the implementation of FOCAC agreements.
