Nigeria, Cuba sign agreement on scientific cooperation, academic collaboration, vaccine production, others, in Havana

Nigeria and Cuba have signed an Expression of Interest agreement to implement actions for the development of partnerships particularly in projects for scientific cooperation, academic collaboration, co-development agreements and licensing of innovative products as well as technology transfer, vaccine production and commercialization of Cuban biopharmaceutical products in Nigeria.

The agreement was signed at the successfully organised BIOHAVANA 2022 International Conference held between April 25 and 29, 2022 in Havana, the capital of Cuba. The Conference was attended by the President of the Republic of Cuba, H. E, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez and the Minister of Health.

Delegates from over fifty countries of the world participated in the Conference at which eighteen agreements were signed by 12 countries including Australia, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Turkey, Nigeria and Russia.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Cuba, His Excellency Benaoyagha B. M. Okoyen and the President of the Group of Biotechnological and Pharmaceutical Industries (BIOCUBAFARMA), DSc. Eduardo Martinez Diaz, who represented the Republic of Cuba, signed the Expression of Interest Document between the two countries.

According to a statement by the Embassy of Nigeria, Havana, Cuba, dated April 29, 2022, the Embassy “through the leadership of the Ambassador played a significant role in taking the Nigerian delegation through the different stages of their participation in the conference, including the coordination of several relevant side meetings.

“The Nigerian delegation included participants from the Ministry of Health (MOH); National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); Federal Ministry of Science and Innovation; Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO); National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA); Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and representation from the West African Health Organization (WAHO).”

The BIOCUBAFARMA, the organizer of the conference, the statement said, “is the Cuban Government business organization that produces drugs, equipment, and services through scientific and technical development to improve the health of the population, the production of exportable goods and services and advanced technologies in food production.”