President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured the Government of Colombia of Nigeria’s commitment to the swift implementation of all bilateral agre...
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured the Government of Colombia of Nigeria’s commitment to the swift implementation of all bilateral agreements reached during high-level meetings between both countries, signalling a deepening of ties between Africa’s most populous nation and the South American country.
The assurance was given on Monday at the State House in Abuja when President Tinubu received Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Márquez, who is on an official visit to Nigeria alongside a high-powered delegation of government, diplomatic, and business leaders.
President Tinubu emphasised the importance of evolving global partnerships, stating that current economic and political realities call for stronger South-South cooperation.
"Global economic volatility and shifting international policies will necessitate new partners for shared prosperity,” the President said, adding that Colombia presents a strategic ally in Latin America.
He expressed confidence in the work done by Nigeria’s Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, who oversaw the bilateral discussions, and pledged swift action on all resolutions reached.
“I believe the Vice President and his team have done the job. Our business opportunities with Colombia have already been enhanced,” Tinubu said. “The agreement we entered with Brazil on aviation and consular issues can easily be replicated with Colombia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will accelerate that.”
President Tinubu also urged Colombian investors to explore Nigeria’s vast opportunities in the oil and gas industry, agriculture, and other emerging sectors, noting that Nigeria’s youthful population offers both a vibrant workforce and a growing consumer market.
Vice President Shettima, who led the Nigerian delegation in earlier talks, described Márquez’s visit as a “reconnection of ancestral ties disrupted by slavery and colonialism,” and said the two countries share deep political and cultural similarities that can drive economic growth.
Vice President Márquez, the first Black woman to occupy her office in Colombia, said the visit to Nigeria — described as “the land of our ancestors” — is symbolic and historic, laying the groundwork for long-term collaboration.
“We are kick-starting a long-lasting relationship built on cultural similarity and shared heritage,” she said, highlighting areas of cooperation including direct air connectivity, visa facilitation, political consultations, and cultural exchanges.
She also emphasised Colombia’s commitment to social justice, gender equality, and inclusion, noting that these values align with Nigeria’s own development agenda.
“As the first Black Vice President of Colombia, I am extremely delighted to lead this visit. Our ancestors were taken from Africa centuries ago — and this visit marks the beginning of restoration and partnership,” Márquez said.
The visit also included discussions with Nigerian business leaders in the aviation sector, with both parties expressing interest in launching direct flights between the two countries.
Present at the bilateral meeting were Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Coordinating Minister of Finance and Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
The visit marks a significant step in Nigeria’s foreign policy direction under Tinubu’s administration, which has increasingly focused on diversifying partnerships and boosting economic diplomacy.
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