The Federal Authorities of Nigeria has begun the deployment of expert professionals to Saint Lucia and different Japanese Caribbean international locations, 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-Normal of the Nigerian Technical Help 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 support to Saint Lucia and the broader OECS,” mentioned Yakub in the course of the signing ceremony.
Beneath the settlement, Nigeria will ship volunteers, together with academics, medical professionals, and agriculturists who will serve in OECS international locations for 2 years.
Nigeria will cater for his or her allowances and logistics, whereas the host international locations are anticipated to offer lodging and different native assist.
Based on 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 medical doctors are scheduled to depart for Grenada on July ninth,” he mentioned.
Yakub emphasised that the renewed momentum in Nigeria’s overseas help aligns with President Tinubu’s 4D overseas 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 specialists, who’re prepared to pay. As a substitute of importing labour from Asia, they need Nigerian professionals.”
“One in every of our volunteers in Jamaica popularised Adire (Yoruba cloth design), which has change into so widespread that Jamaicans now produce it regionally, calling it Jadire. They even export it to the USA,” he mentioned.
The Director-Normal said that discussions are at present underway with Belize, the Dominican Republic, and the OECS management to ascertain 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 Japanese Caribbean States (OECS) to check in Nigerian universities, which can start from the subsequent educational yr.
The initiative additionally contains cultural and academic change, 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 international locations, alongside efforts to enhance connectivity and commerce flows between the areas.
