The official handing-over ceremony of eighteen (18) Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) volunteers to the Government of The Gambia was held on Saturday, 1st August 2026, at the Nigeria High Commission in The Gambia.
The programme commenced with the national anthems of The Gambia and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, followed by the introduction of dignitaries and the newly deployed volunteers. The Head of Chancery, Mr. Owoicho Musa Amali, delivered the welcome address.
Representing the Director-General of NTAC, Dr. Buba Yusuf, the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Muhammed Jere, highlighted that the NTAC Scheme, established in 1987, has successfully deployed qualified Nigerian professionals to partner countries for thirty-eight years. He noted that Nigeria and The Gambia signed the Technical Aid Corps Agreement in 1999 to strengthen The Gambia’s educational sector. He encouraged the volunteers to uphold professionalism and serve as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria before officially handing them over to the Government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST).
Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Minister of MoHERST, Prof. Pierre Gomez, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dr Samba Sowe, welcomed the volunteers and commended the significant contributions of NTAC to the country’s education sector. He particularly acknowledged the remarkable achievements recorded at USET under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Engr. Professor Nazmat T. Surajudeen-Bakinde, who previously served as an NTAC volunteer.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor warmly welcomed the eighteen (18) volunteers on behalf of the Chancellor of USET, His Excellency President Adama Barrow, the Governing Council, Management, staff, and students. She expressed confidence in their competence and encouraged them to work diligently, uphold professionalism, and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth of USET and the development of science, engineering, and technology education in The Gambia.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Leader of the 2026–2028 NTAC volunteers, Professor Aliyu Bashir, followed by a group photograph to commemorate the occasion.