By Aderogba George
The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Dr Yusuf-Buba Yakub, says Nigeria’s technical assistance programme is enhancing the country’s international image through skills transfer and diplomacy.
Yakub stated this in Abuja at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement between Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The engagement was organised by the Civil Society Group for Good Governance (CSGGG) in collaboration with the Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiative (IADI).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had the theme: “Strengthening Partnerships between CSOs and MDAs for Sustainable Development, Accountability and Transparency in Public Governance: NTAC in Focus.”
Speaking on “X-raying the Achievements, Challenges and Prospects of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps in Sustaining International Cooperation and Technical Assistance through Soft Power Diplomacy,” Yakub highlighted the achievements of the scheme.
He said more than 10,000 Nigerian professionals had been deployed to over 40 countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific in the past 39 years.
He said Nigerian lecturers had strengthened higher education institutions abroad by supervising postgraduate research, introducing new academic programmes and improving academic standards.
“Many universities, hospitals and technical institutions owe significant improvements to Nigerian experts deployed under the TAC scheme.
“Today, in The Gambia, the vice-chancellors of two major higher institutions are Nigerians drawn directly from the TAC scheme. The same applies to deputy vice-chancellors, faculty deans and heads of departments,” he said.
Yakub said Nigerian medical professionals had strengthened healthcare delivery in partner countries, especially in underserved communities where specialist services were previously unavailable.
He added that Nigerian legal experts had supported judicial reforms, legislative drafting and institutional development across several countries.
According to him, a former TAC volunteer recently drafted and presented the legislative code currently being used by The Gambia’s parliament.
The NTAC boss described the scheme as one of Africa’s most successful models of South-South cooperation, enabling developing countries to share expertise rather than depend solely on assistance from developed nations.
He said Nigeria remained at the forefront of the initiative, noting that the country currently serves on the 27-member steering committee of the Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD).
Yakub said NTAC had recorded significant achievements since its establishment, adding that its activities had expanded under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“Thousands of professionals have served in beneficiary countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
“Today, we have hundreds of volunteers serving across ACP countries, with many more expected to be deployed before the end of the year.
“NTAC has continued to break new ground by expanding its operations. Many institutions still benefit from systems established by Nigerian volunteers years after their departure.
“We have consistently promoted regional stability, enhanced Nigeria’s international reputation, supported African integration, pursued cost-effective foreign policy and strengthened bilateral relations,” he said.
Also speaking, a CSO resource person, Mr Okpanachi Jacob, said the core principles of South-South cooperation included equality, solidarity, sovereignty and demand-driven partnerships.
He spoke on “Leveraging Civil Society Organisations’ Partnerships and Advocacy in Promoting, Advancing and Sustaining South-South Cooperation and Development”.
Jacob said collaboration involved knowledge sharing, technical assistance, trade and triangular cooperation involving development partners.
He identified leadership challenges, insecurity, corruption and ideological differences as major constraints to South-South cooperation.
Jacob described CSOs as critical drivers of development, saying they had continued to promote accountability, advocacy and institutional effectiveness across member countries.
Earlier, the Executive Director of IADI, Mr Ofomhi Christopher, said the engagement reflected the shared commitment of government institutions and CSOs to sustainable national development through collaboration.
According to him, CSOs remain critical stakeholders in promoting transparency, accountability, policy advocacy and citizen participation in governance.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Tosin Kolade