The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has deployed 35 medical professionals—including doctors and nurses—to Zanzibar, Tanzania, as part of its mission to boost capacity building and diplomatic relations with African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries.
At the deployment ceremony in Abuja, NTAC Director General Dr. Yusuf Yakub emphasized that the move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to promote soft power diplomacy and showcase Nigeria’s leadership through expertise and service.
“Today is a historic day… We are sending 35 TAC volunteers to Zanzibar,” Yakub announced.
Yakub noted that since NTAC’s founding in 1987, over 10,000 Nigerian professionals have served abroad, providing technical assistance and fostering international goodwill. He cited the example of The Gambia, where two Nigerian volunteers later became vice-chancellors of the country’s only university.
The newly deployed team, led by Dr. Paul Cornelius, will serve in clinical and teaching roles, helping to improve healthcare and training systems in Zanzibar.
Volunteers like Mohammed Ibrahim, a paediatric nurse, and Mary-Jane Okieze, a registered nurse, expressed pride and gratitude for the opportunity to serve and represent Nigeria abroad.
