Cuba to help Nigeria with research into medicine, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals

CUBA has pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian government on research in medicine and biotechnology as part of a plan to improve the country's healthcare delivery programme through the sharing of expertise.

Yesterday, Cuba’s  ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Sosa said his country would collaborate with Nigerian government on research in medicine, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. He made this known when he paid a courtesy visit to the minister of science and technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu in Abuja.

Mr Sosa said: “Cuba will collaborate with Nigeria in the areas of training and exchange of innovations through technology and education and create systems for both countries to share models with their counterparts in Cuba."

Dr Onu responded: "This is in line with the present administration’s strategic plan, which is to add value on human resources through research and training, thereby gaining knowledge and be on the frontline of leading economies of the world. Redirecting economy from resource-based to knowledge-based by getting Nigerians to become more productive on issues that will add value to the exploitation of the nation’s natural resources.

According to him, ministry’s mandate is to ensure that Nigeria becomes a leading economy through value addition to human capital development in the area of science and technology. He added that completion of the Memoranda of Understanding between Cuba and Nigeria would help Nigeria to be able to acquire technology and innovation in key sectors of the economy.