Nigeria's contributions to The Gambia's education sector, particularly through the deployment of skilled professionals, have earned commendation from the Gambian Government. The Gambia's Minister of Higher Education, Research and Science, Prof. Pierre Gomez, delivered the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) Director General, Mr Yusuf Yakub, on Thursday in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Gomez led a delegation that included the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Ms Isatou Auber, a World Bank representative, and other senior officials. He explained that the visit was meant to convey the appreciation of the government and people of The Gambia for Nigeria's contributions to human capital development.

According to Gomez, NTAC has played a key role in developing engineering and postgraduate programmes and in supporting the transformation of The Gambia College into a University of Education. He noted that NTAC had also helped strengthen quality assurance in higher education through reforms modelled on Nigeria's Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), adding that Nigerian professionals currently serve as Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Education.

Gomez further commended NTAC's support for reforms in Early Childhood Development and teacher education, describing the scheme as a shining example of African solidarity. He observed that despite resource constraints, NTAC had remained steadfast in supporting The Gambia's educational development and advancing South South Cooperation across the continent, and he invited the NTAC Director General to visit The Gambia to witness the impact of Nigerian professionals firsthand.

Responding, Yakub thanked the delegation and reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to strengthening educational and technical cooperation with The Gambia, describing the country as his second home. He assured the delegation that NTAC would continue prioritising the deployment of qualified Nigerian professionals to support The Gambia's development goals, and commended The Gambia's introduction of degree programmes in Early Childhood Development as a strategic investment in Africa's future.

Yakub stressed that exposing children to innovation and practical learning early was essential for building a globally competitive workforce, and conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu. NAN reports that the visit reinforced the enduring partnership between both countries, with NTAC having deployed Nigerian professionals to African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries for 38 years.