Abuja: Dr. Yusuf Yakub, the Director-General of Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), has announced that Nigeria’s deployment exercise to the Eastern Caribbean countries aims to strengthen South-South Cooperation. Yakub made this statement during the deployment exercise of 18 Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers bound for St. Kitts and Nevis. The exercise is part of a broader initiative to fill critical manpower gaps in developing Africa, Caribbean, and the Pacific (ACP) countries.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the deployment is described as one of the most significant and challenging in the programme’s history, following a directive by President Bola Tinubu to extend Nigeria’s technical assistance to Eastern Caribbean nations. So far, volunteers have been deployed to Grenada and Jamaica, with St. Kitts and Nevis next, and plans are underway to send volunteers to six additional Caribbean countries by the first quarter of 2026. This initiative highlights Nigeria’s role as a major contributor to global development through technical cooperation.
Yakub emphasized the significance of this deployment exercise, which aligns with the commencement of direct flights from Nigeria to the Caribbean by Air Peace, the country’s indigenous airline. This development is seen as a boost to Nigeria’s aviation sector and a reduction in travel time for volunteers. He urged the volunteers to serve with integrity, professionalism, and commitment, noting that they will act as ambassadors of Nigeria in their host country.
Earlier, Ambassador Zakari Usman, NTAC’s Director of Programmes, described the deployment as a fitting way to close the year. Represented by Mr. Fehintola Oyeyemi, Usman commended the NTAC-DG and other management staff for maintaining regular overseas postings of Nigerian professionals. The 18 volunteers, composed largely of medical personnel and other experts, are well-prepared for their assignments.
Speaking on behalf of the volunteers, Mr. Samuel Edo-Esamah, the Team Lead, expressed gratitude to NTAC leadership for the opportunity to serve abroad. He assured that the team would uphold Nigeria’s values and represent the country with distinction in St. Kitts and Nevis.