Four Nigerian professors appointed to Lead Gambian varsity

The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has announced that four Nigerian professors will take on key roles at the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) in The Gambia.

This development emphasised the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and The Gambia in educational and technical fields.

NTAC’s Director-General, Yusuf Yakub, made the announcement during a courtesy visit from The Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, Gomez Pierre, in Abuja on September 28, 2024.

Yakub explained that the appointment followed the recommendations of a task force set up by the Gambian ministry’s Governing Council. The task force aimed to validate current Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers to fill critical vacancies at USET due to the impending end of Vice-Chancellor Samuel Owusu-Ofori’s tenure on September 30.

The selected professors include:Nazmat Surajudeen-Bakinde: Vice-Chancellor, Yusuf Abdulfatah: Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Akinlabi Oyetunji: Director of Research and Grants and David Gundu: Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance

Yakub emphasised that this deployment of professors underscores the robust educational partnership between Nigeria and The Gambia, with the latter being a significant participant in the TAC scheme since its inception in 1987. The Gambia has welcomed over 12,000 Nigerian volunteers, including professionals from various fields, reinforcing the importance of technical assistance in regional development.