Muhammad Usman Mainsara, Charge D’affairs of Nigeria High Commission in The Gambia, has called on the Government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Health to sensitize Gambians not to see medical volunteers as competitors or job snatchers.
Mr Mainsara was speaking during the handing-over ceremony of 20 Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) volunteers to the Ministry of Health on 1 September 2025 at the High Commission’s office in Kanifing.
“This assistance helps to project the image of Nigeria abroad,” he said, adding that the collaboration between Nigeria and partner countries like The Gambia and in other continents remains a cornerstone of their shared mission to foster institutional development and knowledge to countries in dire need.
He indicated that since the signing of the technical assistance agreement between Nigeria and The Gambia in 2009, the latter has benefited from more than 550 volunteers inclusive of this current batch.
“It’s important to mention that Nigeria pays the passages, resettlement and the monthly off-shore allowance through their tour of duty in The Gambia,” he stated, saying Nigeria has been involved in technical manpower assistance as a soft power diplomacy to African, Caribbean and pacific countries since the establishment of NTAC in 1987.
He thanked the volunteers that have served in The Gambia for their contribution to the growth and development of the sister country. “Infact, you have made Nigeria proud,” he told the volunteers, assuring that this current batch “will not disappoint in achieving the aims and objectives NTAC”.
He advised the volunteers to use the opportunity to further strengthen the existing brotherly relations between Nigeria and The Gambia.
The Minister of Health, Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, on behalf of the Gambian government, thanked the dedicated practitioners and expressed deep gratitude to the Government and people of Nigeria for their “unwavering commitment to this invaluable partnership” in advancing quality healthcare for all Gambians.
He reiterated that the initiative is part of the Nigeria Technical Aid Corps program, designed to strengthen healthcare delivery in The Gambia by providing vital expertise and capacity.
