From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigeria has officially commenced the deployment of skilled professionals to Saint Lucia following the signing of a Technical Manpower Assistance (TMA) agreement between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the agreement, signed on Wednesday in Castries by Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC), Yusuf Yakub, and Acting Permanent Secretary of Saint Lucia’s Ministry of External Affairs, Janelle Modeste-Stephen, paves the way for Nigerian experts—including teachers, medical personnel, and agriculturists—to serve two-year terms in Saint Lucia and potentially other Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) members.
The manpower programme is a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s “4D” foreign policy strategy—Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography—aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s global influence while fostering professional growth, cultural exchange, and solidarity with historically connected nations.
Describing the accord as “a great achievement”, Yakub emphasised its alignment with President Tinubu’s directive to expand Nigeria’s technical aid and deepen South-South cooperation.
“This is an outstanding achievement, just days after Mr President’s directive to deploy technical aid to Saint Lucia and the wider OECS,” he said.
Under the agreement, Nigeria will cover allowances and logistics for the volunteers, while host countries will provide accommodation and local support. Yakub highlighted the broader cultural impact, noting, “These students who will benefit from the scholarship will have a chance to reconnect with their roots and heritage,” referencing President Tinubu’s earlier announcement of educational and cultural exchanges during his address to Saint Lucia’s parliament.
Since May 2023, over 300 Nigerian professionals have been deployed across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, with recent deployments to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, and Grenada. Yakub also revealed ongoing talks with Belize, the Dominican Republic, and the OECS to establish a regional framework for technical assistance.
The initiative is not only diplomatic but also economic. Jamaica has requested 400 experts willing to pay for their services, preferring Nigerian professionals over Asian labour imports.
Yakub said, “We are exporting Nigeria’s human capital with dignity, creating opportunities for our people, and reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership across the Global South.”
“Since my appointment in August, we’ve deployed volunteers to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, and other African nations.
“This programme was nearly dormant, but Mr President revived it with his strong foreign policy vision.
“Right now, we are deploying volunteers to Jamaica. Some are already there, and others will fly out tomorrow from Abuja.
“Four nurses will depart for Jamaica tomorrow (Thursday). Additionally, six medical doctors are scheduled to leave for Grenada on July 9th,” Yakub said.
He added that further engagements are ongoing with Belize, the Dominican Republic, and the Director-General of the OECS to establish a regional framework for technical assistance.
“One of our volunteers in Jamaica popularised Adire (Yoruba fabric design), which has become so popular that Jamaicans now produce it locally, calling it Jadire. They even export it to the United States,” he said.