In a significant step toward strengthening international relations, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured the Republic of Colombia of the swift implementation of all bilateral agreements aimed at fostering shared prosperity.
The President’s pledge came during a high-level meeting with the Colombian Vice President, Francia Márquez, at the State House in Abuja on Monday. The meeting highlighted Nigeria’s strategic pivot toward forging new partnerships in response to evolving global economic and political landscapes.
President Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria is committed to strengthening foreign relations to align with global trends in trade, politics, and culture. Accelerating Key Agreements, President Tinubu gave his full support to the agreements reached between the two nations, assuring the Colombian delegation that all conclusions from the bilateral meetings would receive immediate attention.
He specifically noted that Nigeria would replicate its agreements on aviation and consular matters with Brazil, extending the same benefits and collaboration to 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 stated.
The President also extended an invitation to Colombian business leaders to explore Nigeria’s vast opportunities, particularly in the oil and gas sector and agriculture. He underscored Nigeria’s large, youthful, and growing population as a key asset, providing both a substantial market and a skilled workforce to bolster investments.
A New Chapter Built on Shared Heritage, Vice President Francia Márquez’s visit holds special significance as she is the first black Vice President of Colombia. She expressed immense joy at returning to “the land of our ancestors,” noting that the visit aims to rekindle ancestral connections disrupted by slavery and colonialism.
“As the first black Vice President of Colombia, I am extremely delighted to lead this visit to the land of our ancestors,” Márquez said, highlighting the deep cultural and historical ties between the two nations. She outlined several areas for enhanced collaboration, including political consultations, cultural exchanges, visa policies, and aviation.
Vice President Márquez also assured that the strengthened relationship would benefit both countries in areas such as social justice, gender equality, and inclusivity. The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to deepening ties, with both nations poised for a prosperous partnership built on shared history and a vision for future growth.
The presence of several Nigerian ministers, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and the Coordinating Minister of Finance and Economy, Wale Edun, underscored the Nigerian government’s commitment to the new alliance.
