Abubakar Hashim
Nigeria, on Tuesday 14, October, 2025, deployed 12 Technical Aid Corps TAC volunteers, comprising professors and doctors to Sierra Leone’s education sector.
The deployment was carried out in Abuja by DG, TAC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Yusuf Yakub
Origin of TAC
TAC was initiated by the Ibrahim Babangida administration in 1987. It was created to further bolster Nigeria’s profile in the comity of nations, in areas of capacity building and development supports, particularly in education and health, to African, Caribbean and Pacific, ACP, countries.
Though TAC was created by a military government, Babangida was globally applauded for the noble initiative. An amiable, dandy, but shifty tactician, Babangida’s TAC vision continues to reap benefits to both Nigeria and the recipients. The brain behind it was Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, his External Affairs Minister.
Benefits of TAC
The new trend of TAC is embodied in the 4D thrust in Nigeria’s foreign policy, an initiative of current Foreign Minister, Amb Yusuf Tuggar.
Officially labelled the “ Tinubu 4D Doctrine, Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora”, it is anchored to align with global trends in the new world order.
In the area of democracy, it seeks to consolidate the gains since return to civilian rule in 1999, and encourage similar trend in Africa and the world.
On development, the program intends to enhance African development, to reduce dependency on the outside world, thereby creating opportunities of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, AFCTA,, to host trade and investment.
On demography, the use of the country’s talents and skills, will be harnessed to develop human capital in the ACP countries.
The fourth D, is diaspora. It plays a critical role in remittances and investments. Various Nigerian investors in ACP countries create employment for locals, contribute to ACP economic development and remit funds and investments to Nigeria.
Since independence in 1960, with Jaja Wachuku as the first Foreign Minister, to current Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s foreign policy has been characterised by a strong focus on Africa as a regional power.
The new deployment of TAC volunteers to Sierra Leone two days ago, is commendable. Such deployment by the foreign ministry, takes place every three- month period.
In Liberia, in 2023, for instance, 23 TAC volunteers, mainly lecturers and teachers, were deployed to Liberia’s educational sector in five counties, namely, Lofa, Bomi, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount and Nimba. Currently, Liberia will soon respond for more deployment of 25 lecturers , including professors and doctors, to the University of Liberia, under the TAC program.
The program also extends to the Caribbean and Pacific countries like Haiti and Jamaica.
*Abubakar Hashim is the West Africa Bureau Chief of TheNEWS
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