Hocine Mezoued, Algeria’s ambassador to Nigeria, says his country’s partnership with Nigeria has reached new heights in diplomacy and in parliamentary and economic cooperation.

Mr Mezoued said this at the 71st anniversary of Algeria’s independence, held on Tuesday night in Abuja.

The day is remembered as the anniversary of Algeria’s revolution. The revolution witnessed the sacrifices of about two million martyrs who laid down their lives to liberate the country from colonialism.

Mr Mezoued said that 2025 was rich in events and activities, during which the cooperation between Nigeria and Algeria reached new heights.

According to him, this effort to strengthen and diversify bilateral cooperation responds to the high directives of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria and President Bola Tinubu.

“In this context, the inter-parliamentary cooperation gained new momentum with the visit to Algeria last October of an important delegation from the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

“The cooperation in the energy sector has seen fruitful exchanges between the SONATRACH and NNPC Limited groups in various activities that have further consolidated this cooperation and opened up promising prospects,” he said.

The envoy said that the Algerian national carrier, Air Algérie, began operations in April with a flight route from Algiers to Abuja, as part of efforts to strengthen economic relations and human contacts between both countries.

“Indeed, the human dimension of the bilateral relationship is strengthened each year through academic scholarship. The quota for the 2025-2026 academic year is 270 scholarships. The highly successful 4” Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), held in Algiers last September to enable Nigerian economic operators.

“They participated in large numbers to identify trade and investment opportunities offered by Algeria, particularly in agro-food industries and pharmaceutical production,” he said.

Abubakar Babazango, chairman of the Nigeria-Algeria Parliamentary Friendship Group Committee, said that Nigeria and Algeria shared a bond built on mutual respect and solidarity.

Mr Babazango said that the bond of shared aspirations for peace, prosperity, and development in Africa was paramount to cooperation.

According to him, the Nigeria-Algeria parliamentary friendship group remains committed to strengthening parliamentary cooperation and promoting closer ties between the two countries.

He said that the relations in trade , education, energy, and cultural exchange between the two nations were a testament to Africa’s brighter future.

“As we mark this historic occasion with the Algerian people, I bring the Speaker’s warmest greetings and best wishes to the Algerian President and the people of Algeria. May the friendship between Nigeria and Algeria continue to flourish in unity and progress . Congratulations on your 71st anniversary,” he said.

(NAN)