Nigeria’s technical diplomacy shines in The Gambia as 951 USET graduates

President of the Republic of The Gambia and Chancellor of the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET), His Excellency Adama Barrow, has once again expressed his country’s deep appreciation to the Government and people of Nigeria for the continued support provided through the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) Scheme, as USET graduated 951 students during its 2nd Combined Convocation Ceremony in Banjul.

Speaking at the ceremony themed “Innovation for Impact: Science, Skills and Sustainable Development,” President Barrow commended Nigeria’s development cooperation efforts and acknowledged the valuable contributions of Nigerian professionals serving under the
Technical Aid Corps Scheme to the growth of critical sectors in The Gambia, particularly higher education.

President Adama Barrow making his speech during the event.
The President also thanked development partners and stakeholders for their support towards the advancement of USET. He urged the graduating students to remain connected to their alma mater by giving back to the institution and encouraged the University’s Governing Council and Management to continue promoting innovation for lasting impact and sustainable development.
Representing Nigeria at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, conveyed the goodwill and greetings of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to the Government and people of The Gambia.
The NTAC Director-General reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s development cooperation with The Gambia through strategic technical assistance, knowledge transfer, capacity building, and the deployment of skilled Nigerian professionals.
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A major highlight of the convocation was the evident impact of the NTAC Scheme on higher education development in The Gambia, with several Nigerian Technical Aid Corps volunteers currently occupying key academic leadership positions in the country’s tertiary institutions.
Among them are the Vice Chancellor of USET, Engr. Prof. Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde; Prof. Ado Yusuf Abdulfatah, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), USET; Prof. David Gundu, Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance; Prof. Akinlabi, Director of Grants/Research; and Prof. Kayode Adekeye, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), University of The Gambia. Their emergence in these strategic roles highlights the enduring success and relevance of the NTAC intervention in The Gambia.
In her remarks, Prof. Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde, herself a beneficiary of the NTAC Scheme, paid special tribute to the Government of Nigeria and the Director-General of NTAC for their unwavering support to higher education development in The Gambia. She acknowledged the immense contributions of Nigerian professionals to the growth and transformation of tertiary education in the country.
The NTAC DG also commended The Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez, for his steadfast commitment to the success of the partnership between NTAC and The Gambia. He recalled that Prof. Gomez initiated discussions aimed at strengthening collaboration with NTAC as early as his second day in office, demonstrating remarkable dedication to educational advancement and human capital development.
The ceremony featured the conferment of Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates on 951 graduands across various disciplines. The University also honoured outstanding students with Awards for Academic Excellence, with recipients recording exceptional performances ranging from 70.03 per cent to 91.50 per cent.
Awards of recognition were equally presented to deserving dignitaries and distinguished personalities. Among the recipients was the Director-General of NTAC, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, who received his award from President Adama Barrow in recognition of NTAC’s outstanding contributions to capacity building and educational development in The Gambia.
In her valedictory address, the Valedictorian expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its support to the institution and thanked the Vice Chancellor and Management of USET for their encouragement and dedication to student success. While congratulating her fellow graduates with the declaration, “We made it!”, she urged continuing students to remain focused, uphold integrity, and strive for excellence, adding that “Here at USET, we don’t take the best; we make the best.”
Also present at the event were the Chairperson of the Governing Council of USET, Engr. Ebrima Cham; the Honourable Minister of Technical and Higher Education of Sierra Leone, Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie; members of the diplomatic corps; senior government officials; academics; development partners; and other distinguished guests.
The event once again underscored the enduring impact of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps Scheme as a strategic instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy and South-South Cooperation, promoting human capital development, institutional strengthening, and lasting bilateral relations between Nigeria and The Gambia.
Signed
Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi, anipr
Head, Information & Public Relations Unit
Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC)
20th June, 2026