By Emmanuel Kwada
In a significant stride toward strengthening Nigeria’s role as a leader in technical diplomacy, the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has celebrated a landmark Technical Manpower Assistance Agreement signed with the government of Saint Lucia.
The agreement, formalized on July 2, 2025, in the Caribbean nation’s capital, Castries, marks a pivotal moment in expanding Nigeria’s influence and fostering collaboration across the Caribbean through the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
The Director-General of NTAC, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, praised President Bola Tinubu for his visionary leadership, describing the accord as a direct manifestation of the president’s commitment to advancing South-South cooperation and deepening Nigeria’s engagement with the African diaspora.
The signing ceremony saw Yakub joined by Janelle Modeste-Stephen, Acting Permanent Secretary of Saint Lucia’s Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation, and Diaspora Affairs.
This partnership sets the stage for a robust exchange of expertise, with Nigerian professionals, including teachers, medical experts, agriculturists, and other specialists, set to serve in Saint Lucia for two-year terms.
The agreement reflects a shared vision of mutual growth, with Nigeria covering the volunteers’ allowances and logistical needs, while Saint Lucia provides accommodation and local support to ensure a seamless integration
These volunteers will contribute their skills to critical sectors, supporting the host country’s development goals while reinforcing cultural and historical ties between Nigeria and the Caribbean.
The agreement reflects a shared vision of mutual growth, with Nigeria covering the volunteers’ allowances and logistical needs, while Saint Lucia provides accommodation and local support to ensure a seamless integration.
Yakub emphasized the agreement’s alignment with President Tinubu’s broader directive to strengthen regional and bilateral partnerships.
He highlighted that the initiative is not merely a transfer of technical expertise but a meaningful step toward fostering enduring bonds between the two nations. By deploying skilled professionals, Nigeria aims to make a tangible impact on Saint Lucia’s socio-economic landscape, from education and healthcare to agriculture and beyond.
The NTAC Director-General expressed optimism about the transformative potential of the program, noting that it exemplifies Nigeria’s dedication to sharing its resources and knowledge with partner nations in the Global South.
Nigeria aims to make a tangible impact on Saint Lucia’s socio-economic landscape, from education and healthcare to agriculture and beyond
The agreement also carries symbolic weight, as it reconnects Nigeria with the African diaspora in the Caribbean, a region with deep historical ties to Africa. Yakub underscored the cultural significance of the partnership, describing it as a bridge to unite communities separated by history but bound by shared aspirations.
He commended President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to positioning Nigeria as a beacon of technical diplomacy, capable of driving development and collaboration on a global scale.
This milestone follows Nigeria’s long-standing tradition of providing technical assistance to developing nations, with NTAC serving as a cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy.
The partnership with Saint Lucia opens a new chapter in this legacy, promising to deliver measurable benefits to both nations while setting a precedent for further cooperation within the OECS and the wider Caribbean region.
As preparations begin for the deployment of Nigerian volunteers, anticipation is high for the positive impact they will bring to Saint Lucia’s communities and institutions.
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