Angola Celebrates 51 Years of Independence, Praises Nigeria’s Role in Liberation

Angola has praised Nigeria for its historic support during the country’s struggle for independence, describing the relationship between both nations as a longstanding partnership rooted in friendship and shared interests.

The recognition was made by Angola’s Head of Mission to Nigeria, Benin, Niger and ECOWAS, Dr José Zau, during a ceremony marking the country’s 51st independence anniversary in Abuja on Wednesday night.

Angola gained independence in 1975, with Zau acknowledging Nigeria’s significant contribution to the independence process and the subsequent consolidation of the Angolan state.

He described relations between the two African countries as strategic, historic and fraternal, noting that their partnership was strengthened by political cooperation and their positions as major oil-producing nations on the continent.

According to the envoy, both countries have continued to expand their cooperation through the Bilateral Joint Commission, which has facilitated the review and development of several agreements and memoranda of understanding.

“Through the Bilateral Joint Commission, the two nations have been updating and expanding dozens of agreements and memoranda of understanding.

“These cover trade, transport, culture, professional training, defence and public order, cybersecurity, and academic exchange,” Zau said.

He identified the visa-exemption arrangement for diplomatic and official passport holders as one of the measures introduced to improve relations between the countries.

Zau also pointed to partnerships between Nigerian states and Angolan provinces as another initiative aimed at promoting cooperation at subnational levels.

Under the arrangement, Angola’s Namibe and Bengo provinces are paired with Nigeria’s Bayelsa and Nasarawa states.

The envoy attributed further progress in bilateral relations to diplomatic engagements between President João Lourenço of Angola and Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.

On the country’s development agenda, Zau disclosed that the Caculo Cabaça Dam was scheduled to begin operations in June 2027.

The facility is expected to generate at least 2,172 megawatts of electricity, increasing Angola’s overall generation capacity from 6,400 MW to approximately 8,600 MW.

He also used the anniversary celebration to highlight achievements recorded by Angola in 2026, as the country reflected on more than five decades of independence and its relationship with Nigeria.

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