Nigeria became independent from Great Britain the 1st of October 1960, and after, it adopted a Federal government structure. The Federal Republic of Nigeria celebrates, this time, its 63rd anniversary of independence from the then colonial power of Great Britain, now the United Kingdom.

The diplomat pointed out that his country is forging ahead and is doing well with its diversity of resources and its human capital. He also referred to the participation of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, in the Summit of the heads of state and governments of the Group of 77+China, that took place in Havana from the 15th to the 16th of September last.

Ben Okoyen said that Kashima Shettima’s visit to Cuba was undoubtedly a great opportunity to enhance Nigeria’s ties with the Caribbean Island and with many other members of the Group. He also explained that his government signed various agreements with Cuba as the one related with the production of Vaccine in his country.

Nigeria’s Official language is English which exists alongside several hundred local languages and dialects also recognized, such as Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo or Pidgin English. There are two dominant religion in Nigeria, the Christian religion which comprises Catholics, Anglicans and Pentecostals, and the Muslim religion which is practiced by nearly 50 percent of the population.

Nigeria, the most populous country on the African continent, is located in West Africa, on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south, Benin to the west, Niger and Chad to the north, and Cameroon to the east.

With its almost 224 million inhabitants, Nigeria is not only the most populous country in Africa but also, according to demographic projections, will be the third most populous country in the world by 2050, only behind India and China.

Nigeria and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1974, from thence, there has been a political will to promote and diversify economic, commercial and cooperative links between both nations.

Since the beginning of this relation, Nigeria has remained faithful in the United Nations Organization and in the context of the African Union, in demanding the end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against the Cuban people and which has been ongoing for more than six decades.

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