Nigeria and Cuba have taken a significant step toward strengthening their diplomatic and economic relationship, with a renewed focus on healthcare, education, and trade.
This development comes as both nations commemorate 50 years of formal diplomatic relations, established in 1974.
During a high-profile meeting on Monday, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, warmly welcomed a Cuban delegation led by Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Parrilla, and Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Palmero.
The Vice President described Cuba as a nation deeply connected to Africa, highlighting its historical contributions to the continent’s liberation struggles.
“Cuba, though located in South America, has its heartbeat in Africa. Your country played a crucial role in Africa’s liberation movements, standing with us during the anti-apartheid struggles in Southern Africa. We are mightily proud of you because you represent resilience, unity, and selfless leadership,” Shettima said.
Emphasizing the deep-rooted cultural and ancestral ties between both nations, the Vice President noted that a significant portion of Cuba’s population has African heritage, with many tracing their lineage back to Nigeria.
“About seventy percent of Cuban Africans are from Nigeria. For us, Cuba is a sacred land where every progressive African identifies with,” he added.
Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the healthcare sector, with a focus on vaccine development and medical partnerships.
“Our hearts and souls are with you. No matter how long the night is, it will give way to the light of the dawn. We will support you in whatever way we can, especially in strengthening our partnership in healthcare and vaccination programs,” he assured the delegation.
Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Parrilla, underscored the historic ties between the two nations, recognizing Nigeria’s role in shaping Cuba’s cultural and national identity. He also expressed Cuba’s appreciation for Africa’s unwavering support during critical periods of its history.
“We are commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Nigeria. In the formation of our nations, our nationality, and culture, there is an important African and Nigerian descent. The contributions made by African persons in Cuba to our development are immense.
“Without the support of Africans and Nigeria from the very beginning of the Cuban revolution, we could hardly have survived. We shared common goals in our collective struggle against colonialism, apartheid, and racism,” Parrilla stated.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, emphasized the longstanding partnership and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening collaboration across various sectors.
“Foreign Minister Parrilla as visited us to strengthen the relationship between both countries, which has existed since 1974. We stood side-by-side with each other during the years of struggle to liberate African states from oppressive regimes.
“Today, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties. We discussed numerous subjects of mutual interest, including economic relations, tourism, science and technology, and many more,” Tuggar said.
The meeting and the signing of the MoU mark a renewed phase of cooperation between Nigeria and Cuba, setting the stage for enhanced economic and diplomatic engagements in the years ahead.
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