By Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has unveiled the agency’s achievements over the past two years, projecting Nigeria’s growing role as a global hub of skilled manpower.

Speaking at a media chat in Abuja to mark his second anniversary in office, Yakub reflected on the strides made under his leadership, the challenges surmounted, and the vision driving NTAC’s future. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, noting that his tenure, which began in August 2023, has been guided by the President’s directive to “hit the ground running.”

On assumption of office, Yakub inherited 198 volunteers in service and pressing financial difficulties, including unpaid salaries and a ₦300 million debt. With sustained federal support, he said the Corps cleared its debts and ramped up deployments. “From September 2023 till date, we have been deploying 2–3 times every month without fail,” he stated, emphasizing that Nigeria has maintained a consistent presence on the global stage.

He credited President Tinubu’s 4D foreign policy—Democracy, Demography, Diaspora, and Development—for revitalizing NTAC, calling the scheme “a key instrument of Nigeria’s soft power diplomacy.” Since its inception, over 10,000 Nigerian experts have been deployed to more than 40 countries, with many rising to leadership roles abroad, including Vice-Chancellors in The Gambia.

Yakub also highlighted reforms within the Corps, ranging from renovation of office infrastructure to provision of buses and welfare upgrades. He revealed that by October 2025, NTAC will have 450 volunteers in active service, achieving nearly 90% of its deployment target.

Looking to the future, he announced plans to reposition NTAC not only as a platform for volunteerism but also as a structured hub for exporting Nigerian manpower. He disclosed ongoing talks with host governments and international bodies like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to create paid placements, citing Jamaica’s request for 400 skilled experts as proof of Nigeria’s growing human capital demand.

“Our work reflects the President’s 4D vision in practice,” Yakub noted. “Every deployment contributes to development, strengthens diaspora ties, and showcases the vibrancy of Nigeria’s demography. This is how we position our nation as a global talent hub.”

He urged young Nigerians to embrace the opportunities NTAC offers, describing the scheme as a pathway for personal growth, service, and national pride. “We are not just exporting expertise; we are raising leaders who will return to rebuild Nigeria,” he affirmed.

The event ended with group photographs, underscoring NTAC’s renewed commitment to service, accountability, and Nigeria’s leadership in global development through soft power diplomacy.

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