Africa CDC Appoints Osinbajo as Senior Adviser to Drive Health Security Agenda

|By Adejumo Adekunle

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has appointed former Nigerian Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, as Senior Strategic Adviser to its Director-General, Jean Kaseya.

In a statement released on Monday, the agency said the appointment comes at a crucial time as it intensifies efforts to advance its Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda.

The initiative aims to strengthen Africa’s voice in global health governance, increase domestic healthcare funding, accelerate local production of medical supplies, and build more resilient health systems capable of responding effectively to pandemics.

Kaseya described Osinbajo as a valuable addition to the agency, citing his extensive experience across governance, finance, law, and diplomacy.

“Professor Osinbajo brings exceptional experience at the intersection of governance, finance, law, and diplomacy,” Kaseya said.

“At a time when Africa must act with greater ambition and authority on the future of health, his leadership will be invaluable.”

He added that the appointment underscores Africa CDC’s commitment to leveraging top-tier African leadership to strengthen the continent’s health security and development.

In his new role, Osinbajo is expected to provide strategic guidance on Africa’s participation in global health reforms, sustainable healthcare financing, local manufacturing of medical products, and partnerships involving the African Union.

Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s vice-president from 2015 to 2023 under the administration of Muhammadu Buhari. Prior to that, he held office as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.

During his time in government, he chaired Nigeria’s Economic Sustainability Committee, led reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, and played a key role in implementing social investment programmes.