Nigeria and Jamaica have signed a Technical Assistance Agreement on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The agreement was signed on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters. This move aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and expand the impact of Nigeria's Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Programme in Jamaica.
The agreement was facilitated by a meeting between Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and her Jamaican counterpart, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith. During the meeting, Senator Johnson Smith expressed Jamaica's appreciation for Nigeria's Technical Aid Corps Programme, which has contributed significantly to Jamaica's development in areas such as health, education, and local fabric artisanry.
Jamaica has also conveyed its interest in benefiting from the deployment of additional Nigerian professionals, particularly nurses and teachers, under the programme in the future. The Jamaican Foreign Minister highlighted the significant impact of the TAC Programme on communities in Jamaica, noting that its benefits have extended beyond the immediate transfer of technical skills to fostering cultural and creative exchanges between the two countries.
An example of the programme's enduring impact is the development of "JADIRE", a concept that combines Jamaican designs with Nigeria's traditional Adire tie-and-dye textile technique. This concept was developed by Jamaican artisans following training received through the Technical Aid Corps Programme in 2018. The programme has enabled the exchange of ideas and skills between the two nations.
Both Ministers acknowledged the considerable potential for expanding Nigeria-Jamaica cooperation and agreed to explore additional areas of mutual interest through existing and other bilateral platforms. This agreement marks a significant milestone in the strengthening of bilateral ties between Nigeria and Jamaica.
The meeting concluded with the formal signing of the Agreement on Technical Assistance between Nigeria and Jamaica, reaffirming both countries' commitment to advancing practical cooperation for mutual benefit. This development is expected to further enhance the existing relationship between the two nations.
The Technical Aid Corps Programme has been instrumental in promoting cooperation and development between Nigeria and other countries. The programme's expansion to Jamaica is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of Jamaicans, particularly in the areas of health, education, and local artisanry. The agreement is a testament to Nigeria's commitment to South-South cooperation and its role in promoting development in the region.
Key points
- Nigeria and Jamaica have signed a Technical Assistance Agreement to expand Nigeria's Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Programme in Jamaica.
- The agreement aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote development in areas such as health, education, and local artisanry.
- The programme has enabled the exchange of ideas and skills between Nigeria and Jamaica, fostering cultural and creative exchanges between the two countries.
