The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has praised 15 Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers who recently completed a two-year assignment in Uganda, describing the programme as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s soft-power diplomacy and crediting its continued success to the support of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during a debriefing session for the returning volunteers, NTAC Director-General, Hon. Yusuf Yakub, said the programme continues to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to promoting development and strengthening diplomatic ties across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) countries.
The debriefing provided an opportunity for the volunteers to share their experiences, outline achievements, discuss challenges encountered during their deployment and offer recommendations for improving the scheme.
Yakub thanked God for the volunteers’ safe return, describing the completion of their assignment as another milestone for Nigeria.
“I thank God for the safe return of the volunteers. It is another achievement for Nigeria because of the valuable experience they have gained. When you send experts abroad for two years and they return safely, we must give God the glory,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NTAC, saying the programme has strengthened Nigeria’s leadership role on the African continent and among the global Black community.
According to Yakub, NTAC has deployed more than 10,000 Nigerian professionals to over 40 ACP countries over the past 38 years without interruption, contributing significantly to human capacity development and international cooperation.
The 15 volunteers served at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) and Kabale University, where they taught, conducted research and participated in community development initiatives that positively impacted students and local communities.
Yakub singled out the volunteers at Kabale University for a humanitarian gesture that saw them raise funds to secure the release of an eight-month-pregnant woman who had been imprisoned over debt.
“They did more than the assignment government gave them. They undertook a humanitarian intervention, which reflects the spirit of service we expect from our volunteers. When they go abroad, they represent Nigeria. That is why they wear our national colours and the NTAC insignia,” he said.
The Director-General further revealed that several Nigerian volunteers currently serving in countries such as The Gambia occupy key academic leadership positions, including Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans and Heads of Department.
He commended the returning volunteers for serving the nation with distinction and reaffirmed NTAC’s commitment to deploying more Nigerian professionals to countries in need of technical expertise.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some of the volunteers described the programme as an important platform for projecting Nigeria’s positive image abroad while advancing South-South cooperation.
Prof. Peter Ozomba, an Associate Professor of Monetary and Afro-Regional Economics who served at the Islamic University in Uganda, said the assignment enabled him to extend his teaching, research and community service beyond Nigeria.
“It is a practical demonstration of bridging educational and professional gaps between developing countries. Nigeria has demonstrated leadership by supporting sister African countries. When you have more, you should give more. I am ready to serve again whenever my country calls,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr. Fadugba George, a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, who served at Kabale University, recounted how the volunteers secured the release of the pregnant inmate during activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
According to him, the volunteers encountered the woman while visiting a prison for a fellowship programme and collectively contributed funds to settle her debt, leading to her release.
George also urged Nigeria to adopt some of Uganda’s development practices, particularly its emphasis on agriculture and vocational skills acquisition. He noted that many professionals, including university lecturers, actively engage in farming and advocated for the adoption of Uganda’s competency-based education curriculum, which equips students with practical skills alongside formal education.
The volunteers expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NTAC leadership for sustaining the programme, describing it as an effective tool for promoting South-South cooperation, knowledge exchange and human capacity development.
Established in 1987, the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps serves as an instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy by deploying skilled professionals to developing countries, particularly across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, to support technical assistance and sustainable development.
Source:NAN
