Abuja, Nigeria – The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has reaffirmed the Tinubu Administration’s commitment to collaborating with the global community on areas of mutual benefit. This statement was made during a courtesy visit by the Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Mosen Antit, to the NTAC headquarters in Abuja.
According to the NTAC DG, the areas of collaboration include Science and Technology, Engineering, Artisanal Skills, Medical Sciences, and Cultural Diplomacy. He noted that Nigeria and Tunisia have several bases for bilateral engagements, including addressing the issue of illegal migration, exchange of skills, cultural diversity, and technology transfer.
The NTAC boss highlighted the achievements of the Technical Aid Corps scheme since its establishment in 1987, expressing appreciation to the Tinubu Administration for running with the vision of the founding fathers of the Corps in the last two years through his 4-D Foreign Policy Initiative of Democracy, Development, Demography, and the Diaspora. This initiative, he said, has given Nigeria and Nigerians a new dimension of respect and visibility across the globe.
The DG cited a notable example of the Scheme’s success, where a NTAC volunteer in Jamaica organized an international exhibition on Nigeria’s local fabric, “Adire.” The exhibition, which was attended by people from around the Caribbean and beyond, showcased the impact of cultural diplomacy. The fabric’s popularity led to the establishment of a cottage industry, and the locals even renamed their own fabric “Jadire” in appreciation of the Nigerian influence. This simple idea has led to closer cooperation on a whole lot of scale, including the patronage of artisanal skills of legally migrating young Nigerians.
Earlier, the Tunisian Ambassador had lauded the commitment of the Federal Government to sustaining the NTAC scheme many years after its establishment. He highlighted the Scheme’s success stories in skills transfer, volunteerism, and promoting South-South cooperation. The Ambassador officially requested deeper cooperation with his country, emphasizing the importance of culture over other areas of diplomatic engagements. He stressed that much can be achieved through cultural diplomacy, which he believes is more effective than other forms of bilateral engagements.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from NTAC, including Amb. Yakubu Abdullahi Ahmed, Director of Administration, and Amb. Zakari Usman, Director of Programmes, as well as other Foreign Service Officers from the Corps and the Embassy of Tunisia in Abuja, and Aides of the DG of NTAC.
Signed
Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi anipr
Information/Public Relations Officer (NTAC)
May 27, 2025
