The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Yusuf Buba Yakub, has commended Nigeria for its sustained efforts in strengthening democratic principles across West Africa.
Yakub made this known during the 2026 Voice of Nigeria (VON) Forum held in Abuja, with the theme, “51 Years of Nigeria’s Role in Deepening Democratic Stability in ECOWAS.”
He highlighted the country’s commitment to promoting stability, human capital development, and regional cooperation within the ECOWAS sub-region.
In his goodwill message, delivered by his Media Assistant, Mr Nkem Anyatta-Lafia, Dr Yakub reaffirmed the strong link between democratic stability and the presence of an educated and skilled population, noting that the theme of this year’s forum aligns closely with NTAC’s mandate of promoting education, empowerment, and skills transfer across ECOWAS member states and beyond.
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He lauded the foresight of African leaders, particularly Nigeria’s former Head of State, retired General Yakubu Gowon, whose leadership led to the establishment of ECOWAS through the Lagos Accord.
“The Voice of Nigeria for sustaining the annual forum, describing it as a strategic platform for policy dialogue and regional reflection.
“It is a profound honor to stand before this distinguished assembly of thinkers, policymakers, and patriots as we reflect on a milestone that is as much about our shared history as it is about our collective future,” the Director-General stated.
According to him, “For over five decades, nearly four of which NTAC has been in existence, Nigeria has played a leading role in the sub-region, not only through economic and military support but also through the strategic deployment of soft power and human capital development.”
Dr Yakub emphasised that democratic stability goes beyond the conduct of elections, stressing that it is rooted in strong institutions, a healthy populace, and an educated workforce.
“For nearly 40 years, NTAC Volunteers comprising doctors, engineers, teachers, and legal professionals have advanced these ideals across Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific countries. They serve as Nigeria’s peace ambassadors, strengthening the social and technical foundations of partner nations,” he re-emphasised.
The Director-General further noted that poverty and lack of technical expertise often contribute to political instability, adding that NTAC’s interventions help build resilience and sustain democratic governance across beneficiary countries.
Highlighting the Corps’ achievements, he disclosed that over 11,000 Nigerian professionals have been deployed to more than 40 countries worldwide over the past four decades, contributing significantly to development efforts in line with the Federal Government’s 4-D foreign policy thrust on Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.
“This is the mandate NTAC continues to pursue in strengthening Nigeria’s global partnerships and reinforcing its leadership role in Africa and beyond,” he explained.
The NTAC Director-General commended VON for its commitment to fostering dialogue on regional progress and urged stakeholders to sustain collaborative efforts in addressing emerging challenges to democracy in the sub-region.