Abuja, January 13, 2026.— The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmeros, held a cordial and fruitful meeting with senior officials of the National Sports Commission of Nigeria at the headquarters of the Cuban diplomatic mission. 
On the Nigerian side, participants included Mr. Yusuf Alli, Director of the High Performance Board; Ms. Ikana Mbora, Acting Director of Elite Athlete Development; Ms. Amina Amanchi, Sports Officer and Secretary General of the Nigeria Basketball Federation; and Ms. Maryam Akande, Deputy Director of Elite Athlete Development. Representing Cuba, the Ambassador was accompanied by the Third Secretary of the diplomatic mission, Ana Flavia Gómez Pavot.
During the exchange, both sides addressed issues of mutual interest, including the possible recruitment of Cuban coaches and the strengthening of bilateral sports exchanges. The Nigerian representatives acknowledged the international prestige of Cuban sport, as well as the high qualifications, discipline, and results of its coaches, and expressed their interest in initiating and developing structured cooperation with Cuba in the sports sector.
Ambassador Morales Palmeros thanked the delegation for the visit and the interest expressed, and reiterated Cuba’s willingness to resume and expand sports exchanges and cooperation, in line with the historic bonds of friendship and collaboration that unite both countries.
The meeting reaffirmed the mutual will to advance concrete initiatives that contribute to the development of high-performance sport and athlete training, for the benefit of Cuba and Nigeria.
(Embassy of Cuba in Nigeria)