The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, on Monday, 4 August 2025, presided over the official deployment of 20 Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The NTAC professional team was officially deployed to the Ministry of Higher Education through the Nigerian Charge d’Affaires at a ceremony held at the Nigerian High Commission in Kanifing.
The team, which comprises professors and lecturers, are expected to serve in key tertiary and higher education institutions across The Gambia in two years, including the University of The Gambia, University of Education, The Gambia (UEG), Civil Service University (CSU) and at the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA). They are tasked to offer technical and professional assistance to support the academic development of Higher Education institutions in The Gambia.
In his welcoming remarks, the Higher Education Minister, Professor Pierre Gomez, stated that the initiative is a testament to the enduring bonds of solidarity and cooperation between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of The Gambia, marking another milestone in their shared commitment to advancing higher education and national development.
The volunteers, he said, underscore the unwavering support of the Nigerian government and the NTAC organisation towards The Gambia’s Higher Education Transformation Agenda.
Minister Gomez noted that their expertise will be instrumental in bolstering the capacities of Gambia’s institutions, particularly the newly transformed University of Education, The Gambia (formerly Gambia College), the University of The Gambia, the Civil Service University and the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA).
“Their roles in leadership, technical assistance, and knowledge transfer will undoubtedly elevate the quality of education and institutional governance in our country,” he said.
He tasked the team to deliver their contributions that will reflect the highest standards through professionalism, innovation, and dedication.
The Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian High Commission in The Gambia, His Excellency, Muhammad Usman Mainsara, recounted that Nigeria has been involved in Technical Manpower Assistance as soft power diplomacy to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries since its inception in 1987, which helps to project the image of Nigeria abroad.
He highlighted that this collaboration between nations, particularly The Gambia, remains a cornerstone of the two countries’ shared mission to foster institutional development and knowledge with countries in dire need. He further stated that The Gambia has been a beneficiary of this policy since August 2009, when an agreement was signed between the two countries.
“Ordinarily, when the volunteers are sent to a country in need, Nigeria sends some of its best who have been well trained to such countries, and so far, The Gambia has benefited from over 500 NTAC volunteers,” he noted.
He challenged the team of volunteers to build on and foster the existing brotherly relations between Nigeria and The Gambia during their tour of duty.
The representative of the NTACs, Fehintola Adebowale, outlined that globally, no contribution to development is more important than that of human capital development.
Minister Gomez was accompanied by the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Admin/Finance) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Ndeye Fatou Trawally, the Principal Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Siaka Saidyleigh, and the leadership and staff of the Higher Education Institutions in The Gambia.
