NTAC Wraps Up Caribbean Tour, Strengthens Nigeria’s South-South Cooperation Drive

 

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago — The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has concluded a three-nation diplomatic tour of Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, and Barbados, advancing Nigeria’s South-South Cooperation agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy.

The delegation, led by NTAC Director-General Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, completed the high-level engagements over the weekend. It also included Amb. Bello A. Jaye, NTAC Director of Programmes; Mrs. Dankaro Angye Ashumate, Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Grenada; and Mrs. Linda Hills, Head of Chancery.

According to Buba, the tour aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda’s focus on economic growth, human capital development, and international cooperation. He said the visits mark a significant step in consolidating Nigeria’s diplomatic presence in the Caribbean and reinforcing its leadership role in delivering practical, development-oriented initiatives across the Global South.

In Port of Spain, the team held bilateral talks with Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, led by Minister Sean Sobers. Discussions centered on expanding collaboration in technical assistance, capacity building, education, healthcare, and cultural exchange.

In St. George’s, Grenada, Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Andall praised the “positive impact of the NTAC Scheme” and pledged to strengthen ties with Nigeria. The delegation also met with Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Ms. Rhonda to explore deeper cooperation in healthcare delivery and technical support.

The Barbados leg in Bridgetown featured meetings with Minister of Educational Transformation C. Sandra V. Husbands and Permanent Secretary Patrick McCaskie, who represented the Ministry of Training and Tertiary Education. The engagements, held with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, focused on institutional partnerships and capacity building in technical assistance and training.

Buba emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to deploying skilled professionals to support human capital development and institutional strengthening across the Caribbean. He noted interest from the three countries in Nigerian Nollywood films, fashion, agriculture, and animal husbandry, and assured them of Nigeria’s readiness to share expertise in health and other priority sectors.

The tour follows President Tinubu’s directive during a state visit to St. Lucia last year and supports efforts to expand Nigeria’s diplomatic reach and foster shared prosperity among African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. NTAC continues to serve as Nigeria’s primary platform for deploying professionals and building strategic partnerships in the Global South.