The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Dr Yusuf Yakub, has travelled to Liberia to evaluate the work and welfare of Nigerian professionals deployed there under the Technical Aid Corps programme.
The monitoring and evaluation mission was designed to determine the impact of the volunteers’ assignments and examine whether their deployments are meeting the development needs of Liberia.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by NTAC Head of Information and Public Relations, Mrs Ojo Olubunmi.
Yakub engages volunteers on assignments and challenges
During the visit, Yakub held direct discussions with Nigerian volunteers working in different areas across Liberia.
The NTAC chief said the engagement allowed the agency to review the responsibilities being handled by the volunteers, their contributions and their experiences while serving in the country.
The mission also provided an opportunity to identify difficulties affecting their work and determine where additional institutional assistance may be needed.
Agency focuses on measurable impact
Yakub said NTAC’s monitoring efforts were intended to ensure that the deployment of Nigerian professionals remained closely connected to the priorities of partner countries.
He said the agency wanted technical assistance provided by Nigerian experts to produce practical results through the transfer of knowledge, development of skills and strengthening of human capacity.
According to him, regular assessment of deployments is therefore important to ensuring that volunteers are able to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.
Mission linked to Nigeria’s development diplomacy
The NTAC director-general said the Liberia visit also demonstrated Nigeria’s continued commitment to South-South cooperation and development diplomacy.
He linked the initiative to the foreign-policy direction of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly its 4-D agenda of Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora.
Yakub also said the Technical Aid Corps programme remained consistent with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nigeria and Liberia strengthen technical partnership
The mission also highlighted the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Liberia.
Yakub said both countries had continued to cooperate in areas including technical assistance, human-capital development, knowledge sharing and institutional collaboration.
He assured that NTAC would continue improving its monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure Nigerian volunteers meet the objectives of their assignments and that future deployments remain relevant to the development priorities of host countries.
NTAC thanks Liberia for supporting volunteers
Yakub expressed appreciation to the Liberian government and people for the reception given to the Nigerian delegation and for their continued cooperation with Nigerian volunteers.
He said the engagement demonstrated Nigeria’s interest in maintaining mutually beneficial technical cooperation with Liberia while expanding professional and institutional partnerships across Africa.
According to Yakub, such cooperation is aimed at supporting development and strengthening relations between African countries.
Volunteers pledge continued commitment
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian volunteers in Liberia, Team Lead Mr Ajibe Yahaya thanked Yakub for the attention given to their welfare and professional development.
Yahaya said the support and encouragement from NTAC leadership had strengthened the morale of volunteers working in Liberia.
He assured the agency that the volunteers would remain committed to their responsibilities and continue to uphold Nigeria’s reputation through their conduct and professional service.
Yahaya also welcomed the monitoring exercise, saying it demonstrated that NTAC was paying attention not only to the performance and contributions of volunteers but also to their welfare while serving outside Nigeria.
