President Bola Tinubu has assured Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Márquez, that Nigeria will replicate the bilateral agreements it recently signed with Brazil. The focus will include aviation and consular services.
The President gave this assurance on Monday at the State House, Abuja, during a meeting with the Colombian delegation. The team included senior government officials, diplomats, and business leaders.
Tinubu restated Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation. He stressed that foreign relations must adapt to global shifts in trade, politics, and culture. Moreover, he noted that economic uncertainties demand strategic alliances for shared prosperity.
According to Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu pledged to fast-track all agreements supervised by Vice President Kashim Shettima. In addition, he said Nigeria is ready to expand new partnerships across Latin America.
“I am confident the Vice President and his team have laid a solid foundation. Our business opportunities with Colombia are now broader. Therefore, I support every part of the agreements you reached,” Tinubu said.
He added that the aviation deal with Brazil would guide a similar pact with Colombia. As a result, he directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accelerate the process.
Tinubu invited Colombian business leaders to invest in Nigeria. He highlighted the oil and gas sector, as well as agriculture. Furthermore, he described Nigeria’s youthful population as both a large market and a skilled workforce.
Rekindling Ancestral and Cultural Ties
Vice President Kashim Shettima described the visit as historic. He said it was a chance to renew ties broken by slavery and colonialism. Additionally, he pointed out that Nigeria and Colombia share political and cultural values that can drive lasting cooperation.
Vice President Márquez, Colombia’s first Black Vice President, expressed her joy in visiting Nigeria. She called it the land of her ancestors. Consequently, she described the visit as the start of a long-term partnership rooted in shared heritage.
She disclosed that her team had already engaged Nigerian aviation stakeholders. Specifically, talks are ongoing about establishing direct flights between both countries.
Márquez said cooperation would extend to aviation, visas, trade, and cultural exchanges. Moreover, she praised Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and the African Union’s work on restoration and reparations. In the same vein, she emphasized the value of collaboration in social justice, gender equality, and inclusivity.
Key Officials Present
The meeting included Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Foreign Affairs Minister 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.
