Nigeria, Cuba Strengthen Ties, Pledge Deeper Cooperation

** As VP Shettima hails Caribbean nation’s role in African liberation movements

By: Our Reporter

Nigeria and Cuba have taken a bold move to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties, with a renewed focus on healthcare, education and trade.

This is just as both nations mark 50 years of diplomatic relations which formally started in 1974, with Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, describing Cuba as “a sacred land where every progressive will identify with.”

Senator Shettima spoke on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja when he received the Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, and Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmero.

He said, “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.”

The Vice President noted that there were cultural and ancestral ties between Nigeria and Cuba, saying a significant percentage of Cuba’s population has African roots, many of whom trace their lineage 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.

He assured the Cuban delegation that Nigeria would continue to honour its commitments and seek ways to bolster partnerships, particularly in healthcare and vaccine development.

“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 programmes,” VP Shettima stated.

Earlier, the Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, outlined the enduring friendship between Nigeria and Cuba with events marking the milestone 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

“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,” he said.

Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, emphasised the significance of the longstanding relationship and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deeper collaboration.

“He (Foreign Minister Parrilla) has 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.

Nigeria, Cuba Strengthen Ties, Pledge Deeper Cooperation

Nigeria, Cuba sign MoU to improve bilateral relations

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Cuba on Monday in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral relations.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar and his visiting Cuban counterpart, Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla signed the MoU after a close door deliberations.

The Nigeria’s Minister explained that the MoU bothers on strengthening relations, especially in the area of trade, medicine and science and technology.

He said: “We just signed an agreement, an MOU, to further strengthen our political relationship and to further strengthen our collaboration bilaterally as well as multilaterally. And of course, during the course of our bilateral meeting, we discussed several areas to do with enhancing trade, investment, and collaboration with regards to the medical sector, with regards to research, with regards to science, with regards to technology. And this is something that Nigeria is keenly looking forward to working together with Cuba towards actualising.

“So for us, we consider Cuba as part of Nigeria’s diaspora. And this visit provides us with an opportunity to further strengthen existing ties and agreements and memoranda of understanding that are already in place. And also, just as you witnessed, for us to sign new ones.”

Tuggar noted that the relationship between both countries dates back to the era of the fight for the emancipation of Africa, adding
that Cuba and Nigeria also share common culture and traditions.

He said: “Cuba is a country with a special place in Nigeria, going back into history. What we share in terms of experience, in terms of culture and tradition, is something that we hold dear to our hearts.

“And even before the existence of both countries in the shape and form that we know them today, perhaps there were people from this part of the world, or this location even, that featured prominently in the formation of what was to become Cuba, because we learn from history that Diego Velazquez supposedly conquered Cuba in 1511, and we know from history that when that event took place, there were black people in his company, even though you find that in contemporary written history, some of these facts are not recognised, but there were nonetheless black people that were there, that were part of that, albeit maybe under certain circumstances that were not their choice. So that history goes, and of course, Cuba is a country that played a very prominent role in the liberation of the African continent, countries that were under the yoke of racist regimes in the 60s and the 70s, all the way to the 80s and perhaps I would say early 90s. As did, of course, Nigeria, because it was back then Nigeria and the front line states.

“So we share that common affinity, apart from the culture, the Yoruba culture in particular, and even the Shakiri and other cultures here in Nigeria still feature prominently in Cuba, from music to cuisine, and so forth.”

The Cuban minister, who is visiting Nigeria for the second time, said Cuba is ready to explore the potentials for both countries to enhance bilateral relations, pledging his country’s full commitment to enhance bilateral relations with Nigeria.

He said: “We confirm that there is a very positive potential in order to enhance our cooperation, trade, investment, economic, cultural, academic, scientific relations. And we have been exchanging views on this matter in order to explore some new interests and consolidate the current ones.

“We enjoyed an excellent level of bilateral relationship in many different areas, having a very proactive exchange and commonalities in our international agendas, a very proactive level of bilateral cooperation and consultation in bilateral ways and also in multilateral foreign and international organisations.”

He also said, “I’m sure that this visit is a positive step and an excellent base for continuing having positive exchange, exploring additional interests for the sake of the Nigerian and the Cuban people. We Cubans consider ourselves of a Latin American-African people, African descent, and most importantly, Nigerian descent. Nigeria, modern Nigeria, is in our blood, in our culture, in our religions, in our traditions.”

He revealed that he is in Abuja firstly to express his country’s “profound appreciation and gratitude to the contribution by Nigeria to our culture and our country, and because of the stand taken by your country on the issue of the embargo on Cuba.”

He added that: “We feel very proud of ourselves as Latin American, African people, and we’ll always be loyal to this special history in commonality with Africa, but especially with the federal republic of Nigeria.”

Nigeria, Cuba sign MoU to improve bilateral relations

SPPG Calls on Technocrats, Others to Step into Political Arena to Drive Nigeria’s Governance Reform

By: Michael Mike

Technocrats, professionals, and values-driven leaders have been asked to step into the political arena and drive meaningful governance reform in Nigeria.

The call was made by the School of Politics, Policy, and Governance (SPPG) in a statement at the weekend.

The School of Politics, Policy, and Governance (SPPG) is an unconventional school designed to attract, develop and produce a new generation of political leaders who will listen and serve the new class of citizens who know their rights.

The statement read that: “In line with this mission, the school has officially launched the #JoinPolitics campaign, a bold initiative urging technocrats, professionals, and values-driven leaders to step into the political arena and drive meaningful governance reform in Nigeria. With applications now open for the SPPG Class of 2026, this campaign calls on the nation’s best and brightest to replace the compromised ruling class and restore integrity to governance.”

According to the statement: “A world-class academic education initiative, the SPPG is designed as a 21st century Disruptive Thinking Leadership programme to train 10,000 new political leaders in five years who will run for elective offices at State and Federal levels in legislative and executive offices, thus presenting the electorate with top quality choices of candidates. These leaders will form the massive base and pipeline of a new and Disruptive thinking political class, known for their Values-Driven Character, Unquestionable Competence and Undeniable Capacity.”

Founder & Chair of SPPG Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili,, highlighted the root cause of Nigeria’s leadership failure and why professionals must step up to fix it, she said: “Poor governance is the direct outcome of a leadership pipeline that has prioritised personal ambition over public service. A nation cannot thrive when those in power lack the character to lead with integrity, the competence to make informed, evidence-based decisions, and the capacity to drive meaningful change. If we do not intentionally develop a new class of leaders anchored in these values, Nigeria will continue to suffer the consequences of poor governance.”

She noted that the SPPG is that pipeline equipping leaders with the right knowledge, network, and values. We are committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s governance system is led by competent, ethical, and accountable individuals.

Speaking on the campaign, CEO of SPPG,
Alero Ayida-Otobo, emphasised the critical role professionals and technocrats must play in fixing Nigeria’s leadership crisis.

She said: “For decades, Nigeria’s governance structures have been hijacked by individuals who lack the character, competence, and capacity to lead. Meanwhile, our country boasts some of the most brilliant professionals – doctors, engineers, economists, entrepreneurs – who have excelled globally but remain absent from politics.

“It is time for these technocrats to wake up, step forward, and lead. Your expertise is needed in governance, not just in boardrooms or the private sector. If the best of us refuse to engage, the worst of us will continue to rule. The time to act is now.”

She noted that at its core, SPPG exists to bridge Nigeria’s leadership gap by developing ethical, capable, and transformative leaders who will drive systemic change.

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Dean of SPPG Nigeria, reinforced this mission, stating that: “Through our unconventional curriculum, we instill integrity, empathy, and accountability, ensuring that our graduates make ethical decisions in leadership. With intensive academic training and hands-on learning from our stellar faculty, we equip our students with the expertise and skills to navigate Nigeria’s complex political and governance landscape.”

According to the statement, the SPPG Class of 2026 offers a rigorous, unconventional 10-month curriculum designed to prepare professionals for leadership in governance. Taught by world-class faculty and enriched by a strong Network of SPPG Public Leaders, the programme provides practical skills, real-world political strategies, and access to a supportive ecosystem of like-minded changemakers.

SPPG invites visionary professionals who are ready to transition into political leadership, the statement said ideal candidates include technocrats and industry leaders like engineers, economists, lawyers, doctors, and business executives ready to apply their expertise to governance.

Also expected to apply are public service enthusiasts especially individuals eager to drive policy reforms, shape governance, and champion democratic accountability; and aspiring political leaders, among who are those interested in running for office or securing key positions in governance to restore national trust and effective leadership.

According to the statement, the deadline for application is August 31, 2025 with scholarships having 40 to 100 percent terms and conditions with interested candidates asked to visit https://nigeria.thesppg.org/apply.

SPPG Calls on Technocrats, Others to Step into Political Arena to Drive Nigeria’s Governance Reform