Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has appointed Mr. Li Zhensheng, a Chinese national, as Economic Adviser to the state government.
Mohammed announced the appointment on Thursday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bauchi State and the China Global Promotion Cooperation Research Centre, held in Bauchi.
He said the move would position Bauchi as an emerging hub for international cooperation, adding that the partnership would drive investments, infrastructure development and collaboration in agriculture, education, healthcare, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, and trade facilitation.
The MoU, he explained, sets a framework for cooperation, with detailed project agreements to be worked out individually.
“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 stressed that the partnership aligns with the diplomatic understanding between President Xi Jinping of China and President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, aimed at strengthening ties 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,” Mohammed said, noting that the cooperation would attract foreign direct investment, create jobs, enhance skills, modernise key sectors and raise Bauchi’s profile globally.
In his remarks, Zhensheng, who also chairs the China Global Promotion Cooperation Research Centre, said the Centre was committed to mobilising international resources to support Bauchi’s economic vision.
“We are committed to helping Bauchi achieve sustainable growth, modern infrastructure, and improved livelihoods,” he said.