Former Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been appointed Senior Strategic Advisor to the Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, reinforcing the continent’s push for stronger leadership in public health governance and financing.
The announcement, made in a statement signed by Margaret Edwin, underscores Africa CDC’s intention to deepen its institutional capacity amid shifting global health dynamics. Osinbajo will advise on Africa’s strategic positioning in areas such as health financing, local manufacturing of medical supplies, multilateral partnerships, and policy coordination within the African Union framework.
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya emphasised the significance of the appointment, noting Osinbajo’s multidisciplinary expertise across governance, law, finance, and diplomacy. According to Kaseya, the appointment aligns with efforts to assert greater African agency in global health decision-making and reduce systemic dependencies.
Osinbajo’s track record includes serving under Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, during which he chaired Nigeria’s Economic Sustainability Committee and spearheaded reforms under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council. His earlier tenure as Lagos State Attorney General (1999–2007) also established his policy credentials.
Since leaving office, Osinbajo has transitioned into international advisory and governance roles. He currently co-chairs the Future of Development Cooperation Coalition and has held engagements with the Economic Community of West African States and the United Nations Development Programme, including efforts to mobilize $1 billion for youth innovation through the Timbuktoo initiative.
