Abbas Initiates Nigeria-Algeria Power, Education Deals

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has initiated collaborations between Nigeria and Algeria in power and education through inter-parliamentary relations.

While hosting the Algerian Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Hocine Mezoued, Abbas recalled that the Nigerian delegation, he led to Algeria in October 2025, had bilateral meetings with top Algerian officials, especially on Nigeria’s power sector.

In a statement issued by his special adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, the speaker recalled that Ambassador Mezoued invited the House to Algeria, leading to the visit to the North African country in October 2025, “and we had a very fantastic outing.”

“We discussed too many matters of mutual interest between the parliaments of Nigeria and Algeria. We came up with several resolutions, some of which we are still fine-tuning and developing, and we also extended an invitation to the Speaker of the Algerian Parliament to visit Nigeria. It was part of the agreements,” he said.

Speaker Abbas disclosed that part of the agreements was the extension of scholarships to Nigeria.

“We were told that it was something that we would be able to conclude within a month… it is almost six months now, or more. We are yet to bring a closure to that particular issue,” he said.

The Speaker, however, added, “We are appealing, since all the scholarships are usually coming through your embassy here in Nigeria, that you please take this as a very important request. That scholarship issue is still very fresh.

“We in the parliament are very passionate about it, and we are looking to redeem or fulfil that particular pledge taken in Nigeria.”

Abbas also recalled discussions about the establishment of mini grids in Nigeria, which are a major source of energy in Algeria.

Speaking on the contest for the leadership of the APU, the Speaker said Nigeria would be willing to support the Algerian candidate for the presidency.

“Concerning the requests that you made concerning the presidency of the African Parliamentary Union, I want to assure you as a person, I am 100 per cent in support of you, but I also need to consult my parliamentary brothers to ensure that we are all in support of you as a group and legislature.

“But, you can take it from me that, for me as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, I am in complete agreement with and support of the candidature of your person. Within the next few days and weeks, we will engage with all the relevant parliamentary representatives to push the agenda,” he said.

Abbas noted that he might invite Ambassador Mezoued to address a larger audience of parliamentary stakeholders again formally.

The Speaker thanked Ambassador Mezoued for visiting him the second time within one year and for being “a good friend to the Nigerian parliament and government.” He also stated the Nigerian Parliament’s willingness to lobby other African legislatures in support of the Algerian candidate.

Speaker Abbas condoled with the Algerian Ambassador over the demise of his predecessor.

Earlier, Ambassador Mezoued said his two visits to the Speaker in one year were mainly about “the best ways and means to develop cooperation between our two countries.”

The Algerian Ambassador extended the condolences of the people and the government of Algeria over the demise of the Nigerian Ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Lele, a career diplomat from Kano State.

“We deeply mourn the significant loss,” he said, adding that the embassy has scheduled a condolence visit to the deceased’s family and community.

Mezoued also commended Speaker Abbas for creating the Nigeria-Algeria Parliamentary Friendship Group, which he said has strengthened diplomatic ties between the countries.

While the Algerian Ambassador assured Speaker Abbas of scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic session, the envoy said a Nigerian delegation will visit Algeria to discuss energy and power.

“Nigeria will be a priority for us,” Ambassador Mezoued stated, urging the Speaker to kick-start the process through the Nigerian Minister of Power.