The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his consistent support for the Agency’s technical cooperation programmes, as NTAC briefed 11 prospective volunteers for deployment to Rwanda and Debriefed 10 returnee volunteers from the same country after their two-year assignments at the University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), Rwanda.
The dual exercise took place on Monday, 26 October 2026, at the NTAC Complex, Abuja, which provided an opportunity to assess the achievements of the returning volunteers while preparing the incoming team for their responsibilities in Nigeria’s international technical cooperation efforts.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General/CEO, the Assistant Director, Programmes I, Mr. Hakeem Falusi Oladapo, commended the returning volunteers for their professionalism, dedication and exemplary conduct, noting that their successful assignments had attracted positive feedback from the host university and the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Rwanda.
(AD 1 PROGRAMS), RESOURCE PERSONS AND MANAGEMENT STAFF NTAC WITH THE TEN (10) VOLUNTEERS RETURNING FROM RWANDA.
26th October, 2026
26th October, 2026
He attributed the success recorded to the commitment of the volunteers and the support of the Federal Government through NTAC, while urging the incoming team to sustain the Agency’s positive image and achievements.
Addressing the prospective volunteers, Mr. Oladapo charged them to recognise the significance of their assignment beyond their professional responsibilities.
“ You are going to Rwanda as ambassadors of Nigeria, carrying the image, dignity and reputation of our country. Your conduct, commitment and contributions will determine how Nigeria is perceived by the people you encounter. You must therefore serve with integrity, professionalism and a strong sense of responsibility, ensuring that wherever you are, your actions speak positively of Nigeria ,” he said.
He further reminded the incoming volunteers that their selection from among numerous applicants was a privilege that carried significant responsibilities. He urged them to deploy their professional expertise effectively, maintain discipline, respect the culture and institutions of their host country, and refrain from any conduct capable of bringing the Agency or Nigeria into disrepute.
The DG also reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to the welfare of its volunteers and assured them of continued monitoring and support throughout their assignments.
Earlier, Mr. Felix Obidi, Assistant Director II, Programmes, who represented the Director of Programmes, Ambassador Bello A. Jaiye, welcomed the returning volunteers and commended their performance. He noted that the Agency had received no adverse reports from either the university management or the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Rwanda.
He encouraged the incoming volunteers to build on the achievements of their predecessors and sustain the positive reputation NTAC has established through its international technical cooperation programmes.
26th OF OCTOBER 2026
Speaking on behalf of the returning team, its leader, Professor Ihuma Jerome, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and NTAC for the support provided throughout their assignments. He disclosed that the volunteers had contributed to strengthening the university’s research capacity, bridging the gap between academia and industry, and promoting internationalisation.
Professor Jerome further revealed that members of the team had published between 10 and 50 papers in internationally recognised, peer-reviewed journals, underscoring the academic value and professional contributions of their assignments.
In his remarks, the leader of the incoming volunteers, Professor Abubakar Kasum, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and NTAC for the opportunity to serve. He assured the Agency that the team was committed to representing Nigeria honourably and making meaningful contributions to the development of their host institu istion.
The exercise featured briefings on the expectations, responsibilities and conduct of volunteers, as well as the presentation of certificates to the returning team in recognition of their completed assignments.
The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, continues to advance Nigeria’s technical cooperation and people-to-people diplomacy by deploying qualified Nigerian professionals to partner countries to support human-capital development, facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen international relations.
Signed:
Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi, anipr
Head, Information & Public Relations
Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC)
26 October 2026
