Nigeria’s delegation to the G77+China Summit led by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Republic of Cuba.

In a statement, Olusola Abiola, the spokesperson for the Office of the Vice President, said the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, signed the MoU for the Nigerian government.

The signing ceremony, which took place Saturday on the sidelines of the G77+China Summit at Hotel Palco La Habana, was the high point of Nigeria’s participation at the summit.

Mr Nnaji said the MoU would further enhance collaboration in the field of innovation, science and technology between the two countries.

The minister praised President Bola Tinubu for his visionary leadership, which resulted in the agreement’s signing.

Mr Nnaji, who assured that Nigeria would maximise the opportunities provided by the bilateral agreement, emphasised that the agreement’s implementation would commence in earnest.

He expressed determination to implement the appropriate mechanism to work out the modalities for the programme of action.

Earlier, Mr Shettima averred that Nigeria places a high premium on South-South cooperation as a platform for promoting sustainable development of the global South.

The bilateral agreement would focus on research and development.

Other areas include human resource development, which will further deepen the partnership between the two countries.

The areas of cooperation covered by the bilateral agreement include biotechnology, scientific investigation and innovation, technological development and human resources development.

Others are specialists exchange in science and technology and technologies transfer for development areas.

The event was witnessed by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adamu Lamuwa, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cuba, Amb. Ben Okoyen and other senior government officials. 

(NAN)