By Maryanne Awuya
Demonstrating 39 years of soft-power diplomacy, the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has officially deployed over 10,000 Nigerian specialists to more than 40 countries worldwide.
NTAC Director-General Yusuf Buba Yakub announced the achievement in Abuja at a joint forum with Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG), aimed at enhancing public sector accountability and civil society partnerships.
According to Persecondnews, Yakub said NTAC has remained one of Nigeria’s most effective foreign policy instruments by deploying skilled professionals rather than financial aid to partner countries.
He explained that before the establishment of NTAC in 1987, Nigeria mainly provided financial assistance to neighbouring countries but later adopted a strategy of exporting technical expertise to create lasting development impact.
The agency, it added, has supported countries by deploying professionals in medicine, education, engineering, agriculture, law, information technology, nursing, public administration and other specialised fields.
Yakub said the professionals serve as “technical ambassadors,” helping to strengthen institutions while promoting Nigeria’s image abroad.
He noted that many Nigerian academics deployed under the scheme have risen to leadership positions in universities abroad, while medical professionals have improved healthcare delivery and legal experts have contributed to legislative and judicial reforms in partner countries.
The Director-General also disclosed that NTAC is implementing a new skills export initiative under which more than 400 Nigerian professionals are being prepared for paid employment in Jamaica through bilateral agreements.
He said the initiative is designed to promote dignified labour migration, reduce unemployment and generate foreign exchange while meeting the manpower needs of partner countries.
Yakub said: “The agency has recorded significant improvements since 2023 despite funding challenges caused by exchange rate fluctuations, adding that outstanding obligations to volunteers had been cleared and deployments had resumed.”
He identified inadequate funding, rising operational costs, limited public awareness and increasing global demand for Nigerian professionals as some of the major challenges facing the agency.
The NTAC boss called for stronger collaboration with civil society organisations, universities, development partners and the private sector to expand the agency’s reach and improve public awareness of its programmes.
He also advocated increased government funding, digital transformation of technical assistance, stronger monitoring systems and legislative support to strengthen NTAC’s institutional capacity.
According to Yakub, technical assistance remains one of Nigeria’s strongest diplomatic tools, enabling the country to build international goodwill through knowledge sharing rather than financial aid.
He said continued investment in the programme would strengthen Nigeria’s influence globally while contributing to sustainable development and stronger international partnerships.
Persecondnews reports that this engagement serves as the launchpad for a nationwide CSGGG initiative targeting government agencies.
Over the coming months, these planned dialogues will focus on driving accountability, building strategic partnerships, and advancing inclusive governance.