Abuja, June 9, 2026 – The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Mrs. Miriam Morales Palmero, held a cordial and fruitful meeting with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, during which both sides exchanged views on the positive state of bilateral relations and the opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting, the Deputy Speaker highlighted the historic ties of friendship and solidarity that unite Cuba and Nigeria, as well as the support provided by the Caribbean nation to the development of African peoples over the decades. He also underscored the resilience of the Cuban people and their fighting spirit in the face of current challenges.
The Nigerian high-ranking official emphasized the benefits that closer relations between the two countries could bring to Nigeria in strategic sectors. In the field of healthcare, he referred to the potential for cooperation in the local production of vaccines and other medicines, drawing on Cuba’s internationally recognized expertise in public health and the pharmaceutical industry. He also highlighted opportunities in biotechnology, particularly regarding innovative Cuban products developed for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and other conditions that significantly affect the Nigerian population.
In the area of education, he expressed interest in expanding opportunities for Nigerian students to pursue higher education and specialized training programs in Cuba, particularly in Medicine and other fields crucial to national development. He also positively assessed Cuba’s experience in implementing literacy and inclusive education programs, noting that the exchange of such expertise could contribute to Nigeria’s efforts to reduce illiteracy rates.
During the meeting, the Nigerian leader expressed his solidarity with the Cuban people in light of the complex economic and energy situation facing the Island, voicing concern over the impact this reality is having on various sectors of society, particularly the most vulnerable groups.
For her part, the Cuban Ambassador provided an update on the current situation in the country, marked by the tightening of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States. She also explained the negative impact of increasing pressures and the measures stemming from the executive actions announced on January 29 and May 1 of this year, as well as the false accusations made against Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and their family members.
Within the framework of the meeting, the Cuban Ambassador officially delivered to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria an invitation to participate in the Parliamentary Forum to be held as part of the International Colloquium commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, scheduled to take place in Cuba from August 10 to 13, 2026. The diplomat highlighted the importance of this forum as a space for reflection and dialogue aimed at deepening exchanges among legislators from different regions of the world on the legacy, thought, and enduring relevance of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution.
Both sides agreed on the importance of continuing to strengthen ties between the parliaments of Cuba and Nigeria by promoting future institutional exchanges and cooperation mechanisms that contribute to mutual development and the further consolidation of bilateral relations between the two nations.
(Embassy of Cuba in Nigeria)