By Mercy Aikoye
Nigeria and Cuba are looking to deepen their bilateral relations through parliamentary diplomacy. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen emphasized the need for tangible outputs from this diplomacy, including signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), ratified agreements, and funded programs.
The Speaker, represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu, highlighted the potential for cooperation in areas like medical exchanges, academic recognition, joint research, and targeted investments. “Parliamentary diplomacy must yield real outputs: MOUs, ratified agreements, and funded programmes,” he said.
Cuba’s achievements in health, biotechnology, and education can benefit Nigeria, while Nigeria’s large market and resources can benefit Cuba. The two countries can work together on joint training, health expertise exchange, and co-developed treatments to strengthen Nigeria’s health systems.
Cuba’s biotech industry, including its Abdala COVID-19 vaccine, can help Nigeria boost its vaccine production capacity. “Partnerships in research, tech transfer, and pilot manufacturing can boost vaccine production, protect public health, and create jobs while advancing Africa’s self-sufficiency,” the Speaker said.
Despite minimal trade between the two countries, Nigeria and Cuba share deep cultural ties in music, sports, and literature. The Speaker suggested converting this affinity into opportunities for artisans, agri-entrepreneurs, and creative industries.
The Speaker emphasized the importance of skills development for Nigeria’s demographic dividend. Scholarships in Cuba, paired with Nigerian internships and reciprocal placements, can produce professionals fluent in international cooperation.
The visit from the Cuban delegation should mark the beginning of concrete frameworks between the Nigerian Parliament and Cuba’s National Assembly. “Let this visit be more than protocol; it must mark the beginning of concrete frameworks… and a people-to-people compact linking Abuja to Havana, Lagos to Santiago and even Bende to Camagüey,” the Speaker said.
The potential partnership between Nigeria and Cuba is vast, with opportunities in energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, tourism, sports, and culture. “This is true reciprocity: Cuba brings tested knowledge, Nigeria offers scale and opportunity, and together we can uplift our peoples and the wider Global South,” the Speaker emphasized.¹
