The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to South–South cooperation, pledging continued support to developing countries through the deployment of Nigerian volunteers across Africa and the Caribbean.
Speaking after an orientation exercise for prospective volunteers to St. Kitts and Nevis in Abuja, the Director-General of NTAC, Yusuf Yakub, said Nigeria has sufficient skilled manpower to share with other nations in support of their development efforts.
Yakub said, “Part of the new initiative at the NTAC is the sale of Nigeria’s labour for a fee, which will bring revenue to the country and also discourage and eliminate illegal migration.”
He added that “the initiatives will also allow Nigerians to migrate and work in other parts of the world with dignity and respect, instead of going through the desert and sea.”
The Director-General stated that the deployment of 17 volunteers to St. Kitts and Nevis marked another milestone in Nigeria’s expanding technical cooperation and soft power engagement in the Caribbean.
According to him, the Corps is currently in the process of signing agreements with more countries to deepen technical collaboration.
Yakub disclosed that “The Jamaican government and the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps are finalising an agreement to send 400 experts, who will be paid by the Jamaican government.”
He added that NTAC also has partnerships with international organisations and developed countries, especially Canada, for the export of Nigerian expertise.
The NTAC Director-General described the deployment as “a special mission stemming from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive during a state visit to the Caribbean.”
He said “the initiative reflects Nigeria’s commitment to supporting sister nations through skills transfer and development cooperation.”
Following successful deployments to Grenada and Jamaica, Dr Yakub said the Corps plans to extend similar engagements to six additional Eastern Caribbean countries in 2026.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a visionary foreign policy, while commending NTAC staff for their dedication to the success of the deployment.
Yakub also highlighted the historic nature of the mission, noting that “the volunteers are among the first passengers on Air Peace’s maiden direct flight from Lagos to Antigua, significantly reducing travel time and strengthening Nigeria–Caribbean connectivity.”
He urged the volunteers “to uphold professionalism, discipline and integrity, reminding them that they are representing Nigeria and serving humanity.”
The Director-General explained that while the Nigerian Government will provide stipends, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will provide accommodation and utilities for the volunteers.
Speaking on behalf of the volunteers, the team leader, Mr Samuel Edo-Esamah, expressed gratitude to the Director-General for the confidence reposed in them and pledged that “the team would represent Nigeria with dignity and make the nation proud.”
The deployment to St. Kitts and Nevis marks NTAC’s final mission for 2025 and reinforces the Corps’ mandate of promoting skills exchange, development cooperation and mutual understanding among nations.
PIAK