The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with his Algerian counterpart, the Speaker of the People’s National Assembly of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, to strengthen parliamentary relations and promote democratic governance between Nigeria and Algeria.
The agreement, which was signed in Algiers on Monday during Speaker Abbas’ official working visit, is aimed at fostering cooperation between both legislative institutions through exchange programmes, capacity building, and joint initiatives that will enhance lawmaking and parliamentary oversight.
According to the MoU, the partnership is built on the long-standing friendship between Nigeria and Algeria and reflects their shared commitment to democracy, rule of law, and the principles of the African Union.
The document provides for a range of cooperative activities, including the exchange of official visits between lawmakers, coordination among parliamentary committees, sharing of legislative information and expertise, and establishing a joint framework for development and capacity-building programmes.
It further states that both parliaments will work towards creating a Joint Parliamentary Committee—Algeria–Nigeria, which will serve as a platform for consultation and cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
The agreement also reaffirms the determination of both countries to intensify collaboration within international parliamentary organisations such as the Pan-African Parliament, African Parliamentary Union, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
During the visit, Speaker Abbas laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial in Algiers to honour the memory of Algeria’s fallen heroes.
The Nigerian Speaker is also scheduled to meet with top Algerian government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Attaf; the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mr. Mohamed Arkab; and the Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mr. Mourad Adjal.
The visit, according to a statement signed by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, is expected to open new opportunities for legislative diplomacy and strengthen Nigeria’s ties with Algeria and the wider North African region.