The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has appointed former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as senior strategic adviser to Jean Kaseya, its director-general.
In a recent statement, the agency said Osinbajo’s appointment comes at a pivotal time it is advancing the Africa health security and sovereignty (AHSS) agenda aimed at strengthening the continent’s voice in global health, expanding domestic financing, accelerating local manufacturing of health commodities, and building resilient health systems for pandemic preparedness and response.
Kaseya said the former vice-president brings significant experience to the role.
“Professor Osinbajo brings exceptional experience at the intersection of governance, finance, law, and diplomacy,” he said.
“At a time when Africa must act with greater ambition and authority on the future of health, his leadership will be invaluable.
“This appointment reflects Africa CDC’s commitment to mobilising African leadership of the highest calibre in service of the continent’s health security, sovereignty, and development.”
In his new role, Osinbajo will advise on Africa’s positioning in global health architecture reform, sustainable health financing, local manufacturing, strategic partnerships, and policy leadership for Africa CDC and the African Union.
Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s vice-president from 2015 to 2023 and previously held office as attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Lagos state between 1999 and 2007.
During his time in public office, he chaired Nigeria’s economic sustainability committee, led ease-of-doing-business reforms through the presidential enabling business environment council, and played key roles in the country’s social investment programmes.
