The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has announced that four Nigerian professors have been selected to hold key leadership positions at the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) in The Gambia.
Yusuf Yakub, Director-General of NTAC, made this known on Saturday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Gomez Pierre, The Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology.
According to Yakub, the exceptional expertise of the four Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers led to the formation of a task force by USET’s Governing Council. The task force was tasked with assessing the ongoing contributions of the TAC volunteers in The Gambia and recommended their appointment to prominent roles within USET to ensure the smooth operation of the university.
“The Gambian ministry has officially requested the Nigerian government’s endorsement for the appointments,” Yakub stated, referencing a letter addressed to the Nigerian Mission in Kanifing and copied to the NTAC headquarters in Abuja.
The positions became available following the upcoming departure of the current Vice-Chancellor of USET, Samuel Owusu-Ofori, whose tenure is set to conclude on September 30.
The appointed professors and their roles are as follows:
- Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde as Vice Chancellor,
- Yusuf Abdulfatah as Vice Chancellor (Academics),
- Akinlabi Oyetunji as Director of Research and Grants,
- David Gundu as Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance.
Yakub emphasized that the deployment of these professionals earlier in the year was part of NTAC’s 24-month TAC scheme, which aims to provide technical support to partner countries like The Gambia. This move underscores the robust partnership between Nigeria and The Gambia in education and technical cooperation.
“The Gambia remains one of the largest and earliest participants in the TAC scheme, having benefited from over 12,000 Nigerian volunteers since its inception in 1987. These volunteers include engineers, lawyers, and medical professionals,” Yakub noted.
The Gambian government’s request for Nigerian expertise highlights the continuing collaboration between the two nations and the critical role Nigerian professionals play in strengthening key sectors in The Gambia.
