DG NTAC Champions Education, Innovation as Key to Curbing Youth Migration at Int’l Youth Day
Abuja, Nigeria — The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Yusuf Buba Yakub, has reiterated the urgent need to address irregular migration among Nigerian youth through deliberate investments in education, innovation, and sustainable livelihood programmes.
Speaking through his representative, Styv Nkem Anyata, at the 2025 International Youth Day commemoration held at the National Human Rights Commission Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja, the DG warned that the growing trend of irregular migration poses serious social, economic, and human rights challenges that demand immediate attention from all stakeholders.
In his paper titled “Addressing Irregular Migration Among the Nation’s Youth Using Education and Innovation for Sustainable Livelihoods”, Dr. Buba Yakub outlined a strategic framework that places human capacity development at the heart of the solution. He stressed that the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, in alignment with the Federal Government’s youth empowerment agenda, is committed to equipping young Nigerians with the tools, skills, and exposure necessary to thrive at home rather than risk their lives on perilous migration routes.
“Irregular migration is not only a loss of our human capital, it is also a threat to our national development,” his address read. “We must make deliberate efforts to create opportunities that encourage our youth to see their future here in Nigeria, contributing meaningfully to our economy and our communities.”
The DG’s remarks highlighted education as the primary driver for change, advocating for curriculum reforms that integrate entrepreneurship, vocational training, and digital literacy into mainstream learning. He also emphasized innovation as a pathway for young people to create sustainable solutions to local challenges, opening doors for self-employment and marketable skills in the global economy.
On livelihoods, Dr. Buba Yakub called for partnerships between government, private sector players, and international development agencies to fund projects that provide tangible economic opportunities for youth. He noted that when young people can see a clear route to personal prosperity within their own country, the allure of unsafe migration routes diminishes.
Nkem Anyata, who later shared the highlights of the DG’s message through his verified social media handles, grasped the attention of Newsway Media Reporters and the broader development community. His post amplified the DG’s call for urgent, coordinated action to empower young Nigerians at home rather than lose them to unsafe and irregular migration pathways.
The event, which brought together youth leaders, civil society organizations, policymakers, and international partners, formed part of the United Nations–declared International Youth Day celebrations, with this year’s theme focusing on harnessing youth potential for inclusive and sustainable development.
Participants praised the DG’s position paper for its practical recommendations, particularly the call for collaborative action to tackle irregular migration through policy reforms, investment in innovation hubs, and expansion of youth-focused educational programmes.
As the session concluded, Mr. Anyata reaffirmed the DG’s unwavering commitment to championing policies and partnerships that safeguard Nigerian youth and position them as active drivers of national growth.
“The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps will continue to work with both local and international partners to ensure our youth are not just equipped for the future, but are also empowered to build it here at home,” he said.
Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Yusuf Buba Yakub, a former lawmaker and accomplished diplomat, has served as the Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps with a vision to leverage Nigeria’s human capital for both domestic and international development.
Under his leadership, NTAC has strengthened its mandate of deploying Nigerian professionals to countries in need of technical expertise while ensuring that the Corps’ activities also feed into national development goals.
Dr. Buba Yakub is a vocal advocate for youth empowerment, seeing education, innovation, and entrepreneurship as the cornerstones of a prosperous Nigeria. His initiatives often bridge local opportunities with global exposure, enabling young Nigerians to contribute to development both at home and abroad.
From championing sustainable livelihood programmes to forging partnerships with international agencies, he has consistently positioned Nigerian youth as active participants in solving the continent’s most pressing challenges, including irregular migration, unemployment, and the skills gap.
