Nigeria and Thailand have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the deployment of Nigerian professionals to the Asian country on a fee-paying basis.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Dr Yusuf Yakub, disclosed this in Abuja during the orientation and briefing exercise for 18 prospective NTAC volunteers selected for deployment to Catholic and Protestant universities in Rwanda.
Yakub explained that several countries had expressed interest in engaging young Nigerian professionals to fill manpower gaps in their respective economies.
He described the new initiative as an opportunity to create dignified employment for Nigerians, discourage illegal migration and reduce unemployment, particularly among young people.
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In a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit of NTAC, Ojo Olubunmi, the Director-General charged the volunteers to demonstrate professionalism, humility, discipline and commitment to service while representing Nigeria in their host institutions.
Yakub expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the renewed support and attention given to the Technical Aid Corps programme.
He noted that the programme had moved from a period of decline before 2023 to what he described as its highest peak under the present administration.
According to the Director-General, the renewed support had revitalised the programme, with Nigerian volunteers now deployed regularly to different parts of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
He also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, towards the implementation of the programme.
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Yakub explained that NTAC, established 38 years ago and backed by an Act of the National Assembly in 1993, remained an important instrument of Nigeria’s soft-power diplomacy through which the country had built enduring relationships and strengthened its international influence.
“The programme has, over the years, deployed more than 10,000 Nigerian experts to over 40 countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, making significant contributions to education, human-capital development and the socio-economic advancement of host countries,” he stated.
The Director-General urged the volunteers to regard their deployment as an opportunity to serve humanity and make Nigeria proud.
He charged them to remain humble, adaptable, disciplined and dedicated to their assignments, stressing that their conduct in Rwanda would directly reflect on the image of Nigeria.
“You are going out to Rwanda not only to impact knowledge in the citizens and students you are going to teach, but also to represent Nigeria. As you see yourself wearing this green blazer, you will not be called by your individual names when you are there; the citizens of Rwanda will see you as Nigeria. All they see is Nigeria. So, all your conduct is Nigeria. If you do well, then the name of Nigeria will be there in a good light,” Yakub stressed.
He reminded the volunteers that their selection followed a rigorous process involving thousands of applicants, interviews and other stages of assessment.
The NTAC Chief Executive encouraged them to build on the achievements of previous volunteers who had distinguished themselves in their host countries, including those who had risen to become vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors or had been appointed to significant positions by foreign governments.
Yakub challenged the new volunteers to surpass the achievements of their predecessors and return to Nigeria with accomplishments that would further strengthen the reputation of the Technical Aid Corps programme.
The Director-General assured the volunteers that the Nigerian Government would provide for their welfare, including allowances, air tickets and other necessary provisions.
He also informed them that the Nigerian Embassy in Rwanda would serve as their guardian and point of support throughout their assignment.
Yakub advised the volunteers to adhere strictly to the rules of engagement, agreements and conditions governing their deployment.
“The Volunteers against abandoning their assignments without proper authorisation or engaging in conduct capable of undermining the image of Nigeria,” he cautioned.
Earlier, the NTAC Director of Programmes, Ambassador Bello Jaye, welcomed the Director-General, senior management officials and the prospective volunteers to the orientation and briefing exercise.
Jaye appreciated Yakub for his support throughout the rigorous selection and deployment process, noting that the successful volunteers were selected from thousands of applicants after interviews and other stages of assessment.
He congratulated the volunteers on their selection and urged them to approach their assignments with seriousness, professionalism and commitment.
Responding on behalf of the volunteers scheduled for the Protestant University of Rwanda, Team Lead Professor Abdul-Azeez Isiaka Adeyemi expressed appreciation to the NTAC management for the guidance and preparation provided ahead of their deployment.
Adeyemi assured the Director-General that the team would use the guidance received during the orientation as a daily reference throughout their assignment and strive to return as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria.
Similarly, the Team Lead for the Catholic University of Rwanda team, Dr Idris Muhammad Ladan, thanked the NTAC management and officials involved in the deployment process for their dedication and professionalism.
He assured the Director-General and NTAC management that the volunteers would give their best, represent Nigeria positively and make the organisation proud throughout their stay in Rwanda.
The 18 volunteers are expected to proceed to the Catholic University of Rwanda and Protestant University of Rwanda upon completion of the necessary deployment arrangements.
The deployment forms part of the Nigerian Government’s efforts to strengthen technical cooperation, human-capital development and the strategic use of soft power in advancing Nigeria’s international relations.
