The Speaker House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, has called for the establishment of parliamentary diplomacy that will provide a platform to fast-track frameworks for medical exchanges, academic recognition, joint research, and targeted investments between Cuba and Nigeria.
The Speaker made the call in Abuja, while receiving a delegation from Cuba led by a hero of the Republic of Cuba, member of the National Assembly of the People’s Power of Cuba, and President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the People’s, Fernando González Llort, on a courtesy visit.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker Dr. Benjamin Kalu, the Speaker lauded the diplomatic ties between both countries, calling for the deepening of the bilateral relations.
Dr. Tajudeen however called for strategic markers which included parliamentary and health diplomacy, trade and culture, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, saying their implementation will help to birth a robust parliamentary partnership.
”Nigeria’s foreign policy, guided by the principles of African solidarity and Cooperation across the Global South, continues to prioritise partnerships that promote peace, development, and shared prosperity. The 10th Assembly is
committed to advancing this through laws that enable economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and global dialogue.
”We also recognise Cuba’s legacy of parliamentary solidarity, from decolonisation struggles to calls for global equity. It is both strategic and moral to formalise collaboration where our legislatures can deliver, through law-making, institutional strengthening, and parliamentary diplomacy that yields real benefits for our peoples.
”Our tools are laws, oversight, and convening power. The Nigeria–Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group provides a platform to fast-track frameworks for medical exchanges, academic recognition, joint research, and targeted investments. Parliamentary diplomacy must yield real outputs: MOUs, ratified agreements, and funded programmes.
”Nigeria sees this relationship not as a one-way street but as a balanced exchange. We value Cuba’s achievements in health, biotechnology, and education, while Cuba can benefit from Nigeria’s 200 million-strong market, rich resources, vibrant creative industries, and continental leadership. From energy and agriculture to pharmaceuticals, tourism, sports, and culture, the opportunities are diverse and compelling. 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, while emphasizing the benefits of the relationship, said that the visit 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 between the Nigerian Parliament and Cuba’s National Assembly, and a people-to-people compact linking Abuja to Havana, Lagos to Santiago, and even Bende to Camagüey.
”As lawmakers, we stand ready to advance the legislative instruments, whether in cultural diplomacy, trade, or education, that will give this partnership lasting form.”
Earlier in their separate remarks, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmer, and the visiting Cuban parliamentarian. Fernando González Llort lauded the relationship between Nigeria and Cuba, saying they are working on issues of mutual interest to both countries.
Llort extended the invitation of the parliament to the Deputy Speaker to visit Cuba to enable them to exchange views on parliamentary diplomacy and other issues of mutual interest and benefits.
Cov Tanimu Salihu
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