Nigeria Signs Manpower Agreement with Saint Lucia, Begins Deployment of Experts to OECS Countries
Nigeria has signed a major Technical Manpower Assistance (TMA) agreement with the government of Saint Lucia, marking a renewed effort to boost South-South cooperation and reconnect with the African diaspora in the Caribbean.
The agreement was signed by the Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC), Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, and the Acting Permanent Secretary of Saint Lucia’s Ministry of External Affairs, Janelle Modeste-Stephen, at a ceremony held in Castries, the capital of Saint Lucia.
Speaking at the event, Yakub described the partnership as a “significant milestone” in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy goals, particularly around promoting development, diaspora engagement, and diplomacy.
> “This agreement allows Nigeria to send expert volunteers—including doctors, teachers, agriculturists, and other professionals—who will serve in Saint Lucia and other OECS countries for two years,” Yakub stated.
Under the agreement, Nigeria will cover the cost of allowances and travel logistics for the deployed experts, while host countries will provide accommodation and local support.
Nigeria Deepens South-South Ties with Caribbean Nations
The technical assistance deal follows President Tinubu’s directive to expand Nigeria’s engagement with the Caribbean and the wider Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). During his recent address at a joint sitting of Saint Lucia’s Parliament, the Nigerian leader announced broader cultural and educational collaborations aimed at strengthening historic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
As part of this initiative, Nigerian professionals are also being deployed to other Caribbean countries such as Jamaica and Grenada. Yakub confirmed that four nurses will leave for Jamaica, while six medical doctors are set to arrive in Grenada on July 9, 2025.
> “Since the current administration took office in May 2023, we have deployed over 300 professionals across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific,” Yakub revealed.
TAC Programme Gains Momentum, Boosts Nigeria’s Global Reputation
According to the DG, the once-dormant Technical Aid Corps has been revived under Tinubu’s administration and is fast becoming a strategic tool for Nigeria’s international diplomacy and economic growth.
Jamaica, he noted, has already made a formal request for 400 Nigerian professionals and is willing to pay for their services—an indication that Nigeria’s human capital is increasingly in demand on the global stage.
In addition to professional exchanges, cultural diplomacy is also thriving. One Nigerian volunteer in Jamaica reportedly introduced Adire fabric designs, which have gained popularity in the country and are now referred to as “Jadire.”
> “Instead of importing labour from Asia, countries like Jamaica are turning to Nigeria for expertise. We’re exporting Nigerian knowledge with dignity while creating opportunities for our citizens,” Yakub said.
A New Era in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
The TAC initiative is part of President Tinubu’s 4D foreign policy strategy: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography. It not only enhances Nigeria’s soft power but also strengthens professional capacity, fosters cultural exchange, and builds solidarity with nations that share deep historical and ancestral ties with Africa.
As engagements with Belize, the Dominican Republic, and OECS leadership continue, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leader in international cooperation, offering skilled manpower and fostering mutual development across the Global South.
