As reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps has deployed 28 Technical Aid Corps volunteers to Uganda as part of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening soft power diplomacy and South South Cooperation.
The volunteers, drawn from various institutions across Nigeria, were formally deployed during a ceremony on Monday, where they were urged to serve as worthy ambassadors of the country in their host communities.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Ambassador Yusuf Yakub, expressed satisfaction with the calibre of professionals selected for the assignment and encouraged them to uphold Nigeria’s reputation through dedication and professionalism.
Yakub commended President Bola Tinubu for sustaining the Technical Aid Corps programme and creating an enabling environment for its continued implementation.
He also appreciated the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for their support toward the programme.
According to him, the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps was established in 1987 to deploy skilled Nigerian professionals to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in order to provide technical expertise and help bridge critical manpower gaps.
He explained that the initiative reflects Nigeria’s commitment to supporting fellow developing nations through the principles of South South Cooperation while strengthening diplomatic relations.
Yakub described the programme as an important instrument of soft power diplomacy, stressing that building lasting international relationships through knowledge sharing and technical assistance is more effective than the use of force.
He noted that Nigeria remains one of the few countries providing such technical assistance to developing nations, describing the programme as a significant contribution to humanity and African solidarity.
The Director General assured the volunteers that the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, would cater for their allowances throughout the period of their service.
Speaking on behalf of the volunteers, the team leader, Professor Faruk Usman of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, thanked the Director General and the management of the Corps for the opportunity to participate in the programme.
He also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for sustaining the initiative, describing it as an important platform for promoting Nigeria’s soft power diplomacy through the sharing of knowledge and professional experience with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
Also speaking, Dr Oluoma Ozani, a microbiologist from PeaceLand University, Enugu, said the volunteers were excited to participate in the programme and were committed to contributing meaningfully to the development of their host communities.
She said the team would work diligently to make Nigeria proud by applying their expertise and supporting development efforts in the communities where they would serve.
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