The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has welcomed back seven Nigerian volunteers who successfully completed their two-year assignments at Makerere University, Uganda, under the Federal Government’s Technical Aid Corps Scheme, commending their exemplary service and professional contributions.
The volunteers were received on Monday, November 2, 2026, during a debriefing exercise held at the NTAC Complex, Abuja. The exercise provided an opportunity to review their experiences, assess their achievements and identify ways of translating the knowledge and expertise acquired during their assignments into tangible benefits for their respective institutions and Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NTAC, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, Mr Felix Obidi, Assistant Director, Programme 11, congratulated the volunteers on the successful completion of their assignments and commended their dedication, professionalism and exemplary conduct, which he noted had continued to project Nigeria positively.
Describing the returnees as veterans of the Technical Aid Corps Scheme, he urged them to effectively transfer the knowledge, skills and international exposure acquired at Makerere University to their respective institutions and the wider Nigerian society.
He likened their international experience to that of fishes that had explored wider waters, emphasising that their exposure should distinguish them professionally and intellectually and place them in a better position to contribute to national development.
November 2nd, 2026
“You are no longer just returning volunteers; you are veterans of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps. We expect you to bring back the knowledge and experience you have acquired at Makerere University and share them with your respective institutions. You are foreign fishes, and we expect more from you,” he stated.
Mr Obidi further assured the returnees that their expertise would remain valuable to NTAC and the country, while expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for the Scheme. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, towards sustaining the programme.
In a related remark, the representative of the Director of Programmes, Senior Counsellor Mrs Hauwa Arabu Mustafa, congratulated the volunteers on their successful return and acknowledged their contributions to academic development and the promotion of South-South cooperation.
In his remarks, the Team Leader of the returning volunteers, Prof. Abdul Anakobe Isah, expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Government and NTAC for the opportunity to serve at Makerere University, which he described as a rewarding professional experience. He commended the university’s management and staff for their warm reception, friendly disposition, professional support and provision of adequate teaching and learning facilities. He, however, identified some accommodation-related challenges encountered during the assignment.
One of the returning volunteers, Prof. Alo Oluwaseun Olubisi, highlighted some of her notable achievements, including successfully securing a Research and Innovation Grant at Makerere University. She explained that she initially had reservations about her eligibility as a Nigerian but was encouraged by her Head of Department to apply, an opportunity that eventually resulted in a successful grant award.
She further disclosed that the assignment had enhanced her teaching methodologies, lecture preparation and delivery, while providing opportunities for professional growth and research collaboration. Of particular significance was her role in facilitating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Makerere University and her home institution in Nigeria, which had reached an advanced stage.
The debriefing exercise also provided an opportunity for the returning volunteers to share their experiences, achievements, challenges and recommendations, which will serve as valuable input towards strengthening the implementation of the Technical Aid Corps Scheme. The occasion also featured the presentation of certificates of service to the returning volunteers.
Established in 1987, the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps remains a significant instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy and South-South cooperation, deploying skilled Nigerian professionals to countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific to provide technical assistance, promote knowledge exchange and strengthen international partnerships.
With over 10,000 Nigerian professionals deployed to beneficiary countries over the years, the Scheme continues to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to human-capital development, international cooperation and the strategic deployment of its professional expertise as an instrument of development diplomacy.
The successful completion of the Makerere University volunteers’ assignments further reinforces the importance of the Scheme in promoting professional exchange, strengthening institutional partnerships and ensuring that the benefits of international exposure translate into meaningful contributions to national development.
Signed:
Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi,anipr
Head, Information and Public Relations,
Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC)
November 2, 2026.
