The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, represented by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Nkem Anyata-Lafia, has called on Nigerian youth to shun irregular migration and instead acquire sustainable lifelong skills to contribute effectively to national development. This call was made during the 2025 Educational Summit held in Abuja to commemorate International Youth Day.
Key Highlights
- Buba emphasized the vital role of education and innovation in combating irregular migration, highlighting the risks associated with it, including death, extortion, police brutality, and imprisonment.
- He cited a study by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) that identified factors driving irregular migration, such as manipulation, misinformation, conflict, economic instability, poverty, and climate change.
- The NTAC DG provided examples of the devastating consequences of irregular migration, including the loss of over 28,000 lives on the Mediterranean Sea since 2014.
Solutions to Irregular Migration
- Buba identified continuous education, vocational training, and innovation as key solutions to surmounting the challenges of irregular migration.
- He highlighted the opportunities provided by the President Tinubu Administration for Nigerians to acquire the skills and education, including the establishment of Agencies like NELFund, NOTAP, NTAC, and NASENI.
Empowering the Youth
- Buba urged stakeholders to invest in education as a key strategy for securing Nigeria’s development.
- He expressed his commitment to pursuing sustainable solutions that empower the youth, citing President Bola Tinubu’s 4-D Foreign Policy Initiative as a driving force behind NTAC’s efforts.
Conclusion
The Summit concluded with an inspiring call-to-action for various sectors to unite in fostering a new generation of informed, innovative, and community-driven young leaders who will contribute to a brighter, sustainable future for Nigeria.
Signed
Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi anipr
Head (Information & Public Relations)
Nigerian Technical Aid Corps
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
August 12, 2025
