Nigerian gov appoints Chinese economist as adviser, seals strategic partnership

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has named Chinese national Mr. Li Zhensheng as Economic Adviser to his administration.

The appointment was announced on Thursday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and the China Global Promotion Cooperation Research Centre in Bauchi.

Governor Mohammed said the collaboration is designed to make Bauchi a hub for global partnerships, accelerating foreign investment, infrastructure growth, and sectoral cooperation in agriculture, education, healthcare, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, and trade facilitation.

The MoU provides a framework for joint projects, with individual agreements to be developed as required.

“As part of the deal, a Bauchi State Representative Office will be established in China to oversee project implementation and ensure timely delivery,” Mohammed said.

He added that the partnership aligns with the diplomatic initiatives of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, aimed at boosting relations at both national and subnational levels.

“This agreement is not just about infrastructure—it’s about transforming lives. We are opening Bauchi to the world,” he said, noting that the initiative would attract direct investment, create jobs, improve skills, modernise key sectors, and raise the state’s global profile.

In his remarks, Zhensheng, who chairs the China Global Promotion Cooperation Research Centre, assured that the Centre would mobilise resources to drive Bauchi’s economic growth.

“We are committed to helping Bauchi achieve sustainable growth, modern infrastructure, and improved livelihoods,” Zhensheng said.