…………Highlights the Importance of Training, Mentorship and Retraining to Institutional Growth and Development.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, on Monday flagged off the inaugural leadership and capacity-building training programme for Foreign Service Officers and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the NTAC Complex Conference Room, Abuja.
The one-day training, themed Leadership in Action: Inspiring, Coaching and Empowering Staff , was organised to strengthen leadership effectiveness, mentoring capacity, and supervisory competence within the Corps.
In his address, the Director-General explained that the training was necessitated by an internal assessment which identified the need to further build on existing competencies through structured leadership development initiatives. He noted that the focus areas include mentoring, supervision, administrative effectiveness, and the effective use of technology to enhance performance.
According to him, strengthening these areas would equip officers with the requisite skills and tools to perform their duties more efficiently and respond effectively to increasing institutional demands.
The Director-General further emphasized that leadership remains central to NTAC’s operations, stressing that officers are not only responsible for tasks and outcomes but also for mentoring junior staff and guiding their professional development. He stated that the training was designed to equip participants with the right mindset and practical leadership tools required to function effectively in an evolving work environment, while encouraging them to engage actively and apply the lessons learned to their leadership responsibilities.
The event was attended by members of the NTAC Management, including the Director of Administration, Ambassador Yakubu Abdullahi Ahmed, Directors of the Corps, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and staff of the Agency.
The first paper was presented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations and retired Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador ‘Sola Enikanolaiye, titled Leveraging Technology for Administrative and Protocol Practice: Perspectives for Foreign Service Officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He noted that modern diplomacy requires Foreign Service Officers to combine sound diplomatic judgment with strong digital competence, describing technology as indispensable to effective administrative and protocol practice.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye commended the NTAC leadership for prioritising capacity building but stressed that mentorship alone is no longer sufficient in today’s diplomatic environment. He urged officers and staff to take personal responsibility for acquiring computer and digital skills rather than relying solely on government support.
He highlighted the application of technology in areas such as digital correspondence, records management, workflow automation, mission–headquarters coordination, and the use of Artificial Intelligence to enhance transparency, efficiency, and decision-making.
On protocol practice, he observed that the increasing use of virtual and hybrid engagements has reshaped diplomatic interactions, making digital event planning and “screen protocol” essential competencies.
While outlining the benefits of technology, he cautioned against cybersecurity risks and misinformation, concluding that digital transformation is a strategic necessity that must align with the core diplomatic values of discretion, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism.
The second paper, titled Building Cross-Cultural Leadership Skills , was presented by Ambassador Abdullahi Omaki who highlighted the importance of values, character, and ethical conduct in leading culturally diverse teams, noting that effective leadership begins with self-awareness and respect for differences. Ambassador Omaki emphasized that diversity should be viewed as a strength rather than a challenge, urging leaders to transform cultural and ethnic differences into strategic advantages. He further stressed the need for NTAC leadership to remain responsive to Nigeria’s evolving international role by continuously reviewing its mandate in line with emerging global realities.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador S. D. Muhammad expressed appreciation to the Director-General for prioritising capacity building and continuous professional development within the Corps. He commended the resource persons for their insightful and practical presentations and thanked participants for their active engagement throughout the programme. He described the training as timely and impactful, urging officers to translate the knowledge acquired into improved leadership practices, mentoring, and effective service delivery.
The training concluded with a renewed commitment by participants to apply the knowledge gained towards strengthening leadership, institutional effectiveness, and service excellence within the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Signed:
Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi , anipr
Head, Information & Public Relations
Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9th February, 2026
