The Federal Authorities of Nigeria has begun the deployment of expert professionals to Saint Lucia and different Jap Caribbean nations, following the signing of a brand new Technical Manpower Help (TMA) settlement aimed toward strengthening diplomatic ties and deepening South-South cooperation.
The settlement was signed on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia. Representing Nigeria was the Director-Common of the Nigerian Technical Support Corps (TAC), Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, whereas Janelle Modeste-Stephen, the Performing Everlasting Secretary of the Ministry of Exterior Affairs, Worldwide Commerce, Civil Aviation, and Diaspora Affairs, signed on behalf of Saint Lucia.
“That is an excellent achievement, simply days after Mr. President’s directive to deploy technical assist to Saint Lucia and the broader OECS,” stated Yakub through the signing ceremony.
Below the settlement, Nigeria will ship volunteers, together with lecturers, medical professionals, and agriculturists who will serve in OECS nations for 2 years.
Nigeria will cater for his or her allowances and logistics, whereas the host nations are anticipated to supply lodging and different native assist.
In accordance with Yakub, Nigeria has already begun deploying over 300 Nigerian professionals throughout Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific for the reason that starting of the Tinubu administration in Might 2023.
“Since my appointment in August, we’ve deployed volunteers to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, and different African nations.
“4 nurses will depart for Jamaica tomorrow. Moreover, six medical docs are scheduled to go away for Grenada on July ninth,” he stated.
Yakub emphasised that the renewed momentum in Nigeria’s international help aligns with President Tinubu’s 4D international coverage, which focuses on Democracy, Improvement, Diaspora, and Demography.
Yakub disclosed that the programme has gained traction internationally, particularly within the Caribbean.
“Jamaica has formally requested 400 consultants, who’re prepared to pay. As a substitute of importing labour from Asia, they need Nigerian professionals.”
“One among our volunteers in Jamaica popularised Adire (Yoruba material design), which has grow to be so in style that Jamaicans now produce it regionally, calling it Jadire. They even export it to the USA,” he stated.
The Director-Common said that discussions are at the moment underway with Belize, the Dominican Republic, and the OECS management to determine a regional framework for technical assist. He defined that Nigeria is leveraging its expert workforce to create new alternatives for residents whereas strengthening the nation’s management function throughout the International South.
Nigeria’s deployment of execs to Saint Lucia is a part of a broader South-South cooperation technique unveiled by President Bola Tinubu throughout his diplomatic go to to the Caribbean.
Alongside the manpower settlement signed in Castries, Saint Lucia, the President additionally launched a scholarship programme for college kids from the Organisation of Jap Caribbean States (OECS) to check in Nigerian universities, which is able to begin from the subsequent tutorial 12 months.
The initiative additionally consists of cultural and academic alternate, giving Caribbean college students the chance to reconnect with their African roots.
A Nigeria–OECS Joint Committee has been established to deal with implementation, together with scholar choice and placement. President Tinubu additionally proposed visa waivers for holders of diplomatic and official passports from OECS nations, alongside efforts to enhance connectivity and commerce flows between the areas.
