By Gloria Ikibah
The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has stressed that sustainable democracy across West Africa depends largely on building an educated and skilled population.
The Director-General stated this at the 2026 Voice of Nigeria Forum in Abuja, held to commemorate the 51st anniversary of ECOWAS, where he highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing role in supporting stability across the sub-region. 
Yakub praised the vision of early African leaders, particularly General Yakubu Gowon, whose efforts led to the creation of ECOWAS under the Lagos Accord. He also commended the organisers of the forum for sustaining a platform that encourages policy dialogue and reflection on regional progress.
Represented by his Media Assistant, Nkem Anyatta-Lafia, the NTAC chief said the forum’s theme aligns closely with the agency’s mission of promoting education, empowerment and skills transfer across member states.
He said: “It is a profound honour to stand before this distinguished assembly of thinkers, policymakers, and patriots as we reflect on a milestone that is as much about our shared history as it is about our collective future.
“For over five decades—nearly four of which NTAC has been in existence—Nigeria has played a leading role in the sub-region, not only through economic and military support but also through the strategic deployment of soft power and human capital development.”
He emphasised that democracy extends beyond elections, pointing instead to the importance of strong institutions and human capacity.
“For nearly 40 years, NTAC Volunteers—comprising doctors, engineers, teachers, and legal professionals—have advanced these ideals across Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. They serve as Nigeria’s peace ambassadors, strengthening the social and technical foundations of partner nations”, he stated.
Yakub also linked instability in parts of the region to poverty and limited technical capacity, noting that NTAC’s interventions are designed to build resilience and support governance.
Highlighting the agency’s impact, he revealed that more than 11,000 Nigerian professionals have been deployed to over 40 countries in the past four decades, contributing to development efforts under Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities.
“This is the mandate NTAC continues to pursue in strengthening Nigeria’s global partnerships and reinforcing its leadership role in Africa and beyond,” he added.
He therefore urged continued collaboration among stakeholders to tackle emerging threats to democracy, while applauding the Voice of Nigeria for promoting meaningful regional conversations.
The event drew a wide range of dignitaries, including senior government officials, lawmakers, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic corps and top military officers.
