The Nigerian Technical Aids Corps Scheme was Established 17 years ago out of a desire by Government to streamline the nation’s hitherto uncoordinated foreign aid and technical assistance policy. Since then, it has become a veritable tool of the nation’s foreign policy, playing a pivotal role in cementing relations with friendly countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions.

As envisaged by successive Government over the years, the scheme has successfully become an effective medium of promoting inter-Africa Cooperation, in general.

However, the scheme, as laudable as it is, has been sufficiently understood both at home and abroad because of inadequate information about its goals and objectives, as well as its resounding success in achieving them. In this regard, and consistent with the efforts of the Federal Government to build a knowledge based Nigerian Society, and particularly in the light of Nigeria’s new foreign policy thrust which is seeking to make the Nigerian the direct beneficiary of Nigeria’s foreign policy, it has become necessary to property document the activities of the TAC scheme for many reasons, research, improvement, enhancement of bilateral cooperation, etc, purpose.

The TAC is unique in Africa. It is part of Nigeria’s contribution to world understanding and international solidarity. This publication is therefore 2an attempt in to draw attention to the role and place of the TAC Scheme in Nigeria’s involvement in International Cooperation. Besides, the publication will as a public enlightenment tool, hopefully provide not only the necessary information on the scheme and serve as a guide to future Corpers but will also highlight its achievement as an effective foreign policy tool.

Beside prior to this publication, publicity for the scheme had been on an ad-hoc basis. Thus, this publication is designed to give a structured approach to publicizing the activities of the TAC Scheme. Information is knowledge. Knowledge is power. Power enhances capacity and capability. With capacity and capability, it will be easier to build a virile Nation. This is why nine chapters of the publication dwell on the past and present scope as well as future prospects of the scheme.

THE TECHNICAL AID CORPS PROGRAMME

1. BACKGROUND

The Technical Aid Corps Scheme (TAC) was establishment in 19987 by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1993, Decree 27, which gave it legal backing and a framework for the programme, was promulgated.
TAC Scheme is basically an alternative to direct financial aid to Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP). Nigeria shares its know-how and expertise based on already assessed and perceived needs to the recipient countries, The Scheme also promotes co-operation and understanding between Nigeria and ACP State.

The programme involves the deployment of highly experienced Nigerian Professionals in the field of medicine, Nursing, Education, Engineering, Agriculture, Accountancy, and other related field to Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries for a period of two years.

The assistance offered under the scheme is covered by TAC Country Agreement between Nigeria and individual recipient country. TAC country Agreement outlines the obligations and responsibilities of each party.
Since its inception 17 years ago, 2,000 volunteers have served in more than 27 ACP countries. The programme has over the years demonstrated its value as an effective realization of south-south co-operation.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME

The statute establishment the scheme was signed into law in January 1993 exactly six years after the setting up of the TAC programme. The Directorate of Technical Aid Corps is therefore charged with the responsibility of implementing the provisions of the statute a swell as ensuring the attainment of the objectives of the scheme. As the programme was, right from the onset, conceived as an instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy, the Directorate was for obvious reason made parastatal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Functions of the Directorate include overall management and general administration of the scheme; conduct of recruitment and orientation exercises for volunteers; deployment of volunteers to recipient countries and debriefing of volunteers on their final return to the country.

The Directorate carries out these functions subject to policy direction form the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In carrying out this responsibility, the Directorate is guided by the following policy objective of the scheme:

i. Giving assistance on the basis of assessed and perceived needs of the recipient countries;
ii. Promoting cooperation and understanding between Nigeria and the recipient countries;
iii. Facilitating meaningful contacts between the youths of Nigeria and those of the recipient countries.
In addition to the aforementioned objectives, the scheme is also aimed at:
A. Complementing other forms of assistance to other developing countries;
B. Ensuring streamlined programme of assistance to other developing countries
C. Acting as a channel of enhancing South-south Cooperation; and
D. Establishing presence in countries which for economic reason, Nigeria has no resident diplomatic mission.