The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has appointed former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as Senior Strategic Adviser to its Director-General, Jean Kaseya.
The appointment was announced in a statement on Monday, which noted that Osinbajo’s role comes at a critical time as the agency advances its Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda aimed at strengthening the continent’s voice in global health governance, boosting domestic financing, accelerating local production of health commodities, and improving preparedness for pandemics.
According to Africa CDC, the initiative is designed to build more resilient health systems across African countries while reducing dependence on external support in key health sectors.
Africa CDC Director-General, Jean Kaseya, said Osinbajo brings extensive experience spanning governance, law, finance, and diplomacy.
“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 capacity, Osinbajo will advise on Africa’s role in global health architecture reforms, sustainable health financing, local manufacturing of health products, strategic partnerships, and policy leadership within Africa CDC and the African Union framework.
Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s Vice-President from 2015 to 2023. He also previously served 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 key reforms on the Ease of Doing Business through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, and played significant roles in the country’s social investment programmes.
