The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Hon. Yusuf Yakub, has announced that plans are underway to establish a legal framework for the export of Nigeria’s human capital as part of efforts to end the exploitation of Nigerian manpower abroad and address the rising “Japa syndrome.”
Yakub, who disclosed this on Friday during a briefing in Abuja to mark his two years in office, said the initiative will not only provide safe and structured opportunities for Nigerians to work abroad but also generate revenue for the country and reduce unemployment.
He explained that Nigerians have consistently distinguished themselves globally, citing examples of two Nigerians serving as Vice-Chancellors and two others as Deputy Vice-Chancellors in Gambian universities.
“One of the new policies I introduced is to turn NTAC into a hub for manpower export, not for free, but on a revenue-generating basis. This will discourage irregular migration and deaths in deserts and oceans, while creating employment for our citizens,” Yakub said.
He revealed that the Ministry of Justice has already drafted a working agreement for the initiative, with discussions ongoing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international partners, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Once concluded, he said, the platform will enable the lawful export of skilled Nigerian labour across Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and beyond.
Yakub likened labour export to crude oil export, stressing that the new policy will increase diaspora remittances and promote dignity for Nigerian workers abroad. “Countries like the Philippines thrive on labour export. Nigeria is blessed with human capital, and this initiative will allow us to maximize it,” he added.
Highlighting NTAC’s achievements, the DG said 396 volunteers have been deployed to various countries in the past two years, while over 200 have successfully returned. He added that by October 2025, the agency would have deployed more than 450 volunteers, meeting over 90 percent of its annual target.
Yakub also confirmed that NTAC has expanded its diplomatic footprint with new partnerships in Grenada, Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, and Zanzibar, with more countries showing interest in Nigeria’s human resources.
He reaffirmed that the Corps remains committed to its founding mandate of soft power diplomacy while embracing innovative strategies to position Nigeria as a global source of skilled labour.
