By Olamilekan Tosin
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has appointed Li Zhensheng, a Chinese national and Chairman of the China Global Promotion Cooperation Research Centre, as Economic Adviser to the state government. This historic appointment aims to strengthen global ties and attract foreign investment to Bauchi State. The announcement was made during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bauchi State and the China Global Promotion Cooperation Research Centre.
The partnership seeks to drive economic growth, modernize infrastructure, and improve livelihoods in Bauchi State. Li Zhensheng emphasized the Centre’s commitment to supporting Bauchi’s economic transformation. The MoU outlines a framework for cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, education, healthcare, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, and trade facilitation.
The collaboration will involve modern farming techniques, agri-processing facilities, scholarship programs, teacher training, medical infrastructure upgrades, industrial development, and sustainable resource extraction. A Bauchi State Representative Office will be established in China to oversee project implementation and ensure timely delivery.
Governor Mohammed noted that the collaboration aligns with the diplomatic framework between President Xi Jinping of China and President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, designed to strengthen relations at both national and subnational levels. The partnership is expected to attract foreign direct investment, create jobs, enhance skills, modernize key sectors, and improve Bauchi’s global visibility. The appointment has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising the innovative approach and others questioning the choice of a foreign adviser.
