The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has reaffirmed the strong link between democratic stability and the presence of an educated and skilled population.
He made this statement during the 2026 Voice, Nigeria (VON) Forum held on Thursday in Abuja, as part of activities marking the 51st anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“It is a profound honour to stand before this distinguished assembly of thinkers, policymakers, and patriots as we reflect on a milestone that is as much about our shared history as it is about our collective future,” Yakub said, highlighting Nigeria’s leading role in the sub-region through economic and military support, as well as strategic deployment of soft power and human capital development.
The NTAC DG stressed that democratic stability goes beyond the conduct of elections, emphasizing that it is rooted in strong institutions, a healthy populace, and an educated workforce. He noted that for nearly 40 years, NTAC Volunteers – comprising doctors, engineers, teachers, and legal professionals – have advanced these ideals across Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries.
“These volunteers serve as Nigeria’s peace ambassadors, strengthening the social and technical foundations of partner nations. They work tirelessly to build capacity, transfer knowledge, and promote sustainable development,” Yakub added. He highlighted the importance of education and skills development in promoting democratic stability, citing examples of NTAC’s interventions in countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia.
Yakub noted that poverty and lack of technical expertise often contribute to political instability, and that NTAC’s interventions help build resilience and sustain democratic governance across beneficiary countries. He disclosed that over 11,000 Nigerian professionals have been deployed to more than 40 countries worldwide, contributing significantly to development efforts in line with the Federal Government’s 4-D Foreign Policy thrust – Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.
“This is the mandate NTAC continues to pursue in strengthening Nigeria’s global partnerships and reinforcing its leadership role in Africa and beyond,” he added. The NTAC DG commended VON for its commitment to fostering dialogue on regional progress and urged stakeholders to sustain collaborative efforts in addressing emerging challenges to democracy in the sub-region.
The event was attended by prominent dignitaries, including the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris Malagi; Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs; Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede; the Etsu Nupe, HRH Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar; as well as representatives of key government institutions, the diplomatic corps, and the military high command.
