…as Cuban Envoy Pushes for Friendship Group
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Cuba, stressing that the decades-long relationship between both nations will be made stronger through parliamentary diplomacy and strategic cooperation.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmero in his office at the National Assembly on a courtesy visit, Kalu described Nigeria-Cuba relations as such rooted in solidarity, mutual respect, and cooperation among developing nations.
He said: “Let me reaffirm the nation’s commitment to strengthening our relationship with Cuba. We enjoy the relationship we have shared with Cuba for a very long time, and that goes with acknowledging the long-standing diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Cuba, which dates back several decades. It didn’t start today and it isn’t going to end anytime soon. In fact, we are going to make sure that it is stronger.
“As you know, and have rightly pointed out, Nigeria and Cuba share a history that is rooted in solidarity, a history that is rooted in mutual respect, a history that is rooted in cooperation among developing nations. I hope that this visit will further deepen the friendship between our two countries.
“Nigeria and Cuba may be separated by geography, but shared aspirations unite us in the pursuit of development, human dignity, and international cooperation. I hope we seize this opportunity to build a stronger partnership that delivers tangible benefits to our peoples.”
Kalu welcomed the Cuban Parliament’s invitation extended through the Ambassador, proposing a stronger engagement between the Nigerian National Assembly and Cuba’s legislative institutions.
“We have always had it in mind to strengthen the Cuba-Nigeria Friendship Group that we have in the House. I’m sure after this meeting we are going to take it a little further than it has been”, he said.
Speaking on trade matter, Kalu admitted that the current volume between both countries remains modest but said there is “room for growth” under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He positioned Nigeria as Cuba’s gateway to Africa given its about 230 million population and status as the continent’s largest economy, while describing Cuba’s location as a gateway into Latin America and the Caribbean markets.
The Deputy Speaker also lauded Cuba’s global reputation in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.
He identified opportunities for joint pharmaceutical manufacturing, vaccine technology transfer, and training of Nigerian doctors, as well as scholarships for Nigerian students and university collaborations in STEM and biotechnology.
In agriculture, Kalu pointed to Cuba’s expertise in organic and sustainable farming, urban farming techniques, and climate-smart agriculture as areas for exchange.
He also listed tourism and cultural diplomacy as areas that could be explored to improve both countries’ bilateral ties.
“On trade and investment opportunities, although the volume of trade between Nigeria and Cuba remains modest, I see room for growth when we look at comparative analysis of the strength of Nigeria in Africa and the strength of Cuba. In terms of GDP, Nigeria has Africa’s largest economy. Access to the African market through the African Continental Free Trade Area is one of the things that will help trade between the two countries. Our population of over 230 million, heading towards 250 million people, is a large market for any products.
“On your own side, Cuba’s strategic location in the Caribbean makes it a gateway into Latin America and the Caribbean markets. We also cannot play down your expertise in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, as well as tourism opportunities. You have great strength there, and it is a strength that we would like to leverage.
“Nigeria serves as Cuba’s gateway to Africa. If you come in here, you have already touched the entire continent because Nigeria is the marketing hub for the African continent.
“We cannot end this discussion without mentioning education and human capital development. Investing in youth and human capital is a driver of national development. Cuba has a comparative advantage here because of your high literacy rates, highly educated population, and strong public education model. Cuban doctors are among the best in the world. When you are touched by a Cuban doctor, you feel you are in safe hands.
“On our side, we have a large youth population, seventy percent of our population are youths. That is the energy that pushes production, but it also creates growing demand for tertiary education. We have an expanding innovation and tech ecosystem. Our young people are hungry for innovation and are creating solutions to the hydra-headed problems we face every day.
“Nigeria has long admired Cuba’s remarkable achievements in healthcare delivery and medical training. We are interested in exploring opportunities that can strengthen our healthcare system through knowledge exchange and institutional partnerships.
“We also have a large healthcare market of over 200 million people waiting to be tapped. Opportunities exist for the establishment of joint pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, technology transfer in vaccine production and biotechnology, and training of Nigerian doctors and healthcare professionals.
“In agriculture and food security, Cuba has expertise in organic and sustainable agriculture, urban farming techniques, and agricultural research. Nigeria has vast arable land, a large agricultural workforce, huge domestic food markets, and diverse agro-ecological zones. Opportunities lie in exchange of expertise, agricultural technology transfer, collaboration on climate-smart farming, and joint research on food security and crop productivity.
“On tourism and cultural diplomacy, Cuba has a globally recognized tourism industry and rich cultural heritage. Nigeria has Africa’s largest entertainment industry (Nollywood) and rich cultural diversity. Opportunities exist for tourism promotion partnerships, cultural exchange programs, and creative industry collaboration”, he said.
Addressing Cuba’s current energy challenges presented by the ambassador, Kalu assured the envoy that the House would act swiftly through its Cuba-Nigeria Friendship Group and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
He also acknowledged the invitation to the international colloquium commemorating the centenary of Commander-in-Chief, Fidel Castro, adding that the House would “look into it and consider sending a delegation, possibly in August or earlier”.
Earlier in her presentation, the Cuban Ambassador had sought the establishment of a more active Cuba-Nigeria Friendship Group to deepen legislative collaboration between both parliaments.
“Today, your brothers and sisters in Cuba, who have the same blood with you are about 3 million. The population of Nigerians in Cuba over the last century is about 3 million people.
“Nigerians are part of our lives. If we are suffering in Cuba, they suffer with us. If we are happy, they too are happy. They are part of the reasons why the House of Representatives is pushing for a friendship group between Cuba and Nigeria.
“We are signing MoU and different agreements with the Ministry of Agriculture. And in the health sector too, we provide some programs that we need to share, like local production of vaccines.
“We are also open to the private sector. We have a relationship with the Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria and in Abuja too. They have also signed an agreement with the Chambers of Commerce in Cuba. Our doors are widely open for the Nigerian’s counterparts”, Ambassador Palmero said.
