The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Hon. Buba Yakub, on Friday, expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other key stakeholders for their support in reviving and repositioning the agency to better serve Nigeria’s interests abroad.
Speaking during a media chat with directors, members of the press, and distinguished stakeholders, the Director-General reflected on his tenure since his appointment on August 23, 2023.
He described the experience as a call to national service and highlighted significant strides made under his leadership.
“When I was appointed by Mr. President, I accepted with a sense of duty to serve our dear nation,” he stated. “I resumed office on August 28, 2023, and hit the ground running as directed by Mr. President,” he said.
The NTAC DG explained that upon assumption of office, he inherited 198 volunteers already deployed in various countries, as well as staff and infrastructure in dire need of rejuvenation. He revealed that the agency was nearly crippled by economic constraints, including a sharp rise in the exchange rate—from ₦750/$ in August 2023 to ₦1,900/$ by January 2024—which slashed operational budgets by 60%.
Despite these financial hurdles, the DG insisted on continuing deployment, sending volunteers to Liberia on September 15, 2023.
“We were told deployment couldn’t continue due to budget constraints, but I gave the order anyway. Our volunteers returned just a few days ago, safe and with valuable experience,” he said.
He further revealed that upon his appointment, NTAC (formerly DTAC, established in 1983 under the Babangida administration) was burdened with unpaid salaries, dilapidated infrastructure, and buses over 15 years old. However, through the support of the President and the agency’s internal efforts, these issues have been addressed.
“Today, NTAC is debt-free. We are not owing anyone. Thanks to Mr. President’s 4D foreign policy, we’ve been able to restructure and revive the agency. Even before funding was approved, I used my personal funds to renovate the office to make it presentable,” he said.
The DG also highlighted international engagements, noting that NTAC has visited over 15 countries for bilateral talks. These visits have led to renewed deployment agreements and elevated Nigeria’s image on the global stage.
“We have reestablished Nigeria’s position as a leading contributor of technical expertise. Our volunteers are being appointed into key academic and professional positions abroad—including Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor roles in The Gambia,” he revealed.
Currently, 300 volunteers are deployed, and by the end of October, the number is expected to reach 450—achieving 90% of the agency’s deployment target. So far, over 10,000 Nigerian professionals have been deployed to more than 40 countries under the NTAC scheme, he said.
The DG emphasized that NTAC’s mission is not only about sending experts abroad, but also about training them to contribute meaningfully upon their return.
“Many of our volunteers are PhD holders and medical professionals. The goal is to build capacity and prepare them for leadership roles at home,” he said. “We are sharing Nigeria’s rich human capital with the world, particularly Africa, not as beggars but as contributors to a shared future.”
As NTAC continues to operate at what the DG described as “its highest peak since inception,” he reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s 4D foreign policy—Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora—in driving Nigeria’s global relevance.
“With the President’s support, Nigeria is no longer on the sidelines. We are now helping to build Africa’s future, one expert at a time.”
About NTAC.
The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) is a federal agency tasked with deploying Nigerian professionals to support development efforts in other African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries.
It was established in 1983 and has undergone several transformations, the most recent being a rebranding from DTAC to NTAC to further align with Nigeria’s national interests.
DTAC means Directorate of Technical Aid Corps, which happens to be the Board that controls the agency.
The rebranding of the agency from DTAC to NTAC was necessitated by the fact that the agency was answering the name of the board that oversees it.
