Castries, Saint Lucia – Nigeria is firmly establishing itself as a global purveyor of human capital, as a significant agreement was inked this week, paving the way for a substantial deployment of skilled Nigerian professionals to Saint Lucia and other Caribbean nations. This groundbreaking initiative not only deepens South-South cooperation but also reignites a powerful connection with the African diaspora.
The accord, formally known as the Technical Manpower Assistance (TMA) agreement, was signed in Castries, Saint Lucia’s capital, on Wednesday. Representing Nigeria was Yusuf Yakub, the Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC), while Janelle Modeste-Stephen, Acting Permanent Secretary in Saint Lucia’s Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, signed on behalf of the host nation.
The news was swiftly confirmed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who underscored the strategic importance of this development. Yakub, describing the agreement as “a great achievement,” emphasized that it directly aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to broaden Nigeria’s technical diplomacy across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). “This is an outstanding achievement, just days after Mr. President’s directive,” Yakub stated, highlighting the swift execution of the presidential mandate.
Under this new arrangement, Nigerian expert volunteers, including teachers, medical professionals, and agriculturists, are set to embark on two-year assignments in Saint Lucia. While the Nigerian government will manage their allowances and logistics, Saint Lucia, as the host country, will provide accommodation and other essential local support.
Beyond the immediate technical assistance, Yakub pointed to a richer, cultural dimension of the initiative. He noted that the program will foster cultural and educational exchange, giving Caribbean students a unique opportunity to reconnect with their African heritage, a sentiment echoing President Tinubu’s broader cultural diplomacy pronouncements during his recent address to Saint Lucia’s parliament. Scholarship opportunities embedded within the program will further enable this reconnection to roots and heritage.
Since President Tinubu took office in May 2023, the TAC program, which was reportedly dormant, has witnessed a remarkable resurgence. Over 300 Nigerian professionals have already been deployed across various nations in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Yakub affirmed that more deployments are on the horizon, with four nurses slated for Jamaica and six doctors heading to Grenada as early as July 9th. Discussions are also actively underway with Belize, the Dominican Republic, and the OECS for a comprehensive regional framework for technical cooperation.
The impact of this program, according to Yakub, extends far beyond typical development and diplomatic endeavors. He cited a remarkable example from Jamaica, where a Nigerian volunteer introduced the traditional Yoruba fabric design, Adire. This traditional art form has now become so popular that Jamaicans are locally producing it, fondly calling it ‘Jadire,’ and even exporting it to the United States.
Perhaps most impressively, Yakub revealed that the TAC is rapidly transforming into a revenue-generating platform. Jamaica, for instance, has formally requested 400 Nigerian experts and, significantly, is willing to financially compensate for their deployment. “Instead of importing labour from Asia, they want Nigerian professionals,” Yakub proudly stated. “We are exporting Nigeria’s human capital with dignity, creating opportunities for our people, and reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership across the Global South.”
This bold initiative, Yakub concluded, perfectly aligns with President Tinubu’s “4D foreign policy”—Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography—solidifying Nigeria’s global influence while championing professional development, cultural exchange, and fostering solidarity with nations that share a deep historical connection. Nigeria, it seems, is not just sending aid; it’s sharing its very essence.