NIGERIA'S TECHNICAL AID CORPS (TAC) AND CULTURAL DIPLOMACY IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH: OPPORTUNITIES, OBSTACLES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS.

This study examines Nigeria's Technical Aid Corps (TAC) and its role in promoting cultural diplomacy in the Global South. Established in 1987, the TAC is a development cooperation programme that provides technical assistance and training to developing countries, primarily in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Through a qualitative case study approach, this research investigates the opportunities and obstacles faced by the TAC in promoting cultural diplomacy, and explores future directions for the programme. The study reveals that the TAC has made significant contributions to cultural diplomacy in the Global South, fostering cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect among nations. However, the programme faces challenges such as inadequate funding, limited capacity, and bureaucratic hurdles. The study also identifies opportunities for the TAC to enhance its impact, including leveraging Nigeria's rich cultural heritage, strengthening partnerships with regional organizations, and adopting innovative approaches to development cooperation. The study concludes that the TAC has the potential to play a more significant role in promoting cultural diplomacy and development cooperation in the Global South, but requires strategic reforms and support to overcome existing challenges. The study recommends that the Nigerian government prioritize funding and capacity building for the TAC, and that the programme adopts a more proactive and innovative approach to cultural diplomacy. This research contributes to the literature on cultural diplomacy, development cooperation, and Nigeria's foreign policy, providing insights and recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars.