Former Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo has been appointed senior strategic adviser to the Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Jean Kaseya.
The appointment, announced on Monday, comes at a pivotal moment for the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) initiative, which aims to strengthen health systems, boost local production of medical supplies, increase domestic funding, and elevate Africa’s influence in global health affairs.
Kaseya praised Osinbajo’s expertise, saying, “Professor Osinbajo brings exceptional experience at the intersection of governance, finance, law, and diplomacy. 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 reshaping global health systems, sustainable healthcare financing, local production of medical goods, strategic collaborations, and policy direction for both Africa CDC and the African Union.
Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s vice-president from 2015 to 2023 and previously held the position of attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. During his tenure, he also chaired Nigeria’s Economic Sustainability Committee, led reforms to improve the business environment, and contributed significantly to the country’s social investment programmes.