Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi has announced Chinese national Li Zhensheng as economic adviser to his administration.

Mr Muhammed made the announcement on Thursday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and the China Global Promotion Cooperation Research Centre in Bauchi.

The governor said the appointment was made to make the state a hub for global partnerships, accelerating foreign investment and enhancing infrastructure growth.

“We are opening Bauchi to the world,” Mr Muhammed said. “As part of the deal, a Bauchi State Representative Office will be established in China to oversee project implementation and ensure timely delivery.”

The governor noted the move was aimed at deepening sectoral cooperation in agriculture, education, healthcare, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas and trade facilitation, adding the partnership was in tandem with the diplomatic initiatives of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to enhance relations at both national and subnational levels.

“This agreement is not just about infrastructure—it’s about transforming lives,” Mr Muhammed said, noting the initiative would attract direct investment, create jobs, improve skills, modernise key sectors, and raise the state’s global profile.

In his remarks, Mr Zhensheng, who is the head of China Global Promotion Cooperation Research Centre, promised the Centre would mobilise resources to drive Bauchi’s economic growth.

“We are committed to helping Bauchi achieve sustainable growth, modern infrastructure, and improved livelihoods,” Mr Zhensheng noted.

The MoU outlines a framework for joint projects, with individual agreements to be developed as necessary.