The Gambian government has acknowledged Nigeria’s vital role in strengthening its Higher Education system, particularly through the deployment of Nigerian engineering professors under the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC). During a visit to NTAC in Abuja, The Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Professor Pierre Gomez, expressed his country’s appreciation, stating that Nigerian volunteers had significantly transformed the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET). Their expertise has not only driven Innovation and enterprise development but also increased student enrolment from 47 to over 200 in just one academic session. More importantly, these professionals have introduced self-funding strategies, reducing the university’s dependence on government subventions.
Professor Gomez further revealed that The Gambia has established a new University of Education and is now looking to Nigeria for additional support. Acknowledging the success of the engineering professors at USET, he requested more Nigerian professionals to help train teachers and administrators in the education sector. He stressed that Nigeria’s contributions had surpassed expectations, describing the volunteers as instrumental in shaping a new academic Culture in The Gambia. In response, the Director-General of NTAC, Yusuf Buba Yakub, assured The Gambia of Nigeria’s continued commitment to supporting its educational development and promised to expedite the process of sending additional volunteers.
NTAC programme enhances academic collaboration in Africa.
Moreover, Nigeria’s intervention in The Gambia reflects a broader commitment to fostering academic collaboration across Africa, particularly among countries within the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) group. The NTAC programme, designed to bridge human resource gaps in partner nations, has strengthened Nigeria’s influence in regional education development. Beyond simply providing expertise, these efforts align with Africa’s long-term vision of knowledge-sharing as a means of driving socio-economic growth. The increased demand for Nigerian academic professionals highlights the effectiveness of the initiative and its potential for replication in other countries facing similar challenges.
This growing reliance on Nigerian expertise demonstrates how regional cooperation can help address systemic educational challenges. By leveraging partnerships like NTAC, African nations can reduce dependency on external technical assistance and build sustainable institutions tailored to their unique needs. However, for these efforts to remain impactful, recipient countries must prioritise institutional reforms and capacity-building measures that ensure long-term benefits beyond the tenure of foreign volunteers. Nigeria’s role in this process extends beyond just providing personnel; it also involves mentoring local academics, fostering research collaborations, and ensuring that knowledge transfer is sustained within The Gambia’s institutions.
Strengthening education at every level is key.
Furthermore, the success of Nigeria’s education intervention in The Gambia highlights the need for expanding such initiatives beyond higher education. While universities have benefited significantly, there is an opportunity to extend support to secondary and technical education, where foundational skills for national development are shaped. Strengthening these levels of education would create a more comprehensive and lasting impact, equipping young Gambians with the necessary skills to thrive in an evolving economy. Additionally, the inclusion of Vocational Training and entrepreneurship programmes within this framework could further enhance employment opportunities for Gambian youths.
As The Gambia seeks to deepen its collaboration with Nigeria, the Sustainability of the NTAC programme comes into focus. While it has proven effective, ensuring its continuity requires consistent Investment and policy support from the Nigerian government. The growing demand for technical assistance suggests that expanding the programme to accommodate more professionals across various fields will be crucial in maintaining its relevance. Additionally, bilateral agreements between both countries could formalise and expand these knowledge-exchange efforts, providing long-term stability for educational partnerships.
Related Article: New approach to education reform in Nigeria
With Nigeria reaffirming its commitment to The Gambia’s education sector, the long-term benefits of this collaboration are expected to shape the country’s academic and economic landscape for years to come. As more nations in the region recognise the value of such partnerships, Nigeria’s role in fostering educational growth across Africa is likely to strengthen, further solidifying its position as a key driver of knowledge transfer and capacity-building on the continent. The lessons from this partnership could serve as a model for similar interventions, reinforcing the idea that African nations can effectively support one another in addressing developmental challenges through expertise-sharing and mutual cooperation.