Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has appointed former Nigerian Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, as senior strategic advisor to its Director General, Jean Kaseya.

The agency said the appointment came at a pivotal moment as it advanced the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) Agenda, aimed at strengthening Africa’s voice in global health, expanding domestic and innovative financing, accelerating local manufacturing of health commodities, and building resilient health systems for pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response across the continent.

Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Osinbajo, served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2015 to 2023. Before then, he served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.

Commenting on the development, Kaseya said Osinbajo would bring exceptional experience spanning governance, finance, law, and diplomacy, noting that his leadership would be invaluable at a time when Africa must act with greater ambition and authority in shaping the future of health, on the continent.

He added that the appointment reflected Africa CDC’s commitment to mobilising African leadership of the highest calibre in advancing health security, sovereignty, and development.

According to the agency, Osinbajo, in his new role, is expected to advise on Africa’s positioning in global health architecture reform, sustainable and sovereign health financing, local manufacturing, strategic partnerships, and policy leadership for both the Africa CDC and the African Union.