President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated Nigeria’s readiness to strengthen international partnerships and align its foreign policy with the changing global landscape in trade, politics, and culture.
Receiving the Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, Francia Márquez, at the State House in Abuja on Monday, President Tinubu emphasized that global economic volatility and shifting international policies would require new partners for shared prosperity.
The President assured the visiting delegation, which included senior government, business, and diplomatic officials from the South American nation, that Nigeria would replicate the agreements it signed with Brazil on aviation and consular matters with Colombia.
He noted that the agreements and conclusions reached during the bilateral meetings supervised by Vice President Kashim Shettima would be treated with urgency.
“I believe the Vice President and his team have done the job. Our business opportunities with Colombia have already been enhanced. I support every aspect that you have agreed on. Particularly for Colombia, the agreement we entered with Brazil can easily be replicated in aviation, and our diplomatic relations can be enhanced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will accelerate that,” President Tinubu said.
The President encouraged Colombian business leaders to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, as well as agriculture, highlighting that the country’s youthful and expanding population offers a strong consumer market and skilled workforce to support investments.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said the visit of the Colombian Vice President would rekindle ancestral connections that were broken by slavery and colonialism, while also paving the way for a prosperous future partnership. He pointed out that the two nations share political and cultural similarities that would help to foster sustainable economic collaboration.
On her part, Vice President Francia Márquez outlined priority areas for strengthening bilateral relations, including aviation, visas, political consultations, cultural exchanges, and trade.
“As the first black Vice President of Colombia, I am extremely delighted to lead this visit to the land of our ancestors. Our ancestors were taken away from Africa centuries ago,” she said. Márquez explained that her visit would open the door to a long-term partnership built on deep cultural connections and heritage.
She further assured that relations with Nigeria would be beneficial for both countries, with specific focus on social justice, gender equality, and inclusivity. “We have had a meeting with the business leaders in aviation on the need to start direct flights to Colombia,” she added.
Márquez emphasized that Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and the influence of the African Union in issues of restoration and reparation would help strengthen relations with Latin America and the Caribbean.
Those present at the meeting included Chief of Staff 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 and Social Development Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.