By Seun Ibiyemi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced plans to replicate with Colombia the agreements recently signed with Brazil on aviation and economic cooperation, as part of a wider strategy to deepen Nigeria’s international partnerships.
The President made the declaration on Monday while hosting Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Márquez, at the State House in Abuja.
He noted that rising global economic uncertainty and evolving international policies make the pursuit of new alliances essential for mutual growth and prosperity.
“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 strengthened. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will accelerate that,” Tinubu stated.
He encouraged Colombian business leaders to seize investment opportunities in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as well as agriculture, describing Nigeria’s youthful population as a vast consumer base and a pool of talent capable of supporting large-scale enterprise.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who oversaw the bilateral discussions, said Márquez’s visit symbolised a reconnection of ancestral ties fractured by centuries of slavery and colonialism, and signalled a step towards building a stronger and more prosperous partnership.
Márquez identified aviation, visa agreements, political consultations, cultural exchanges, and trade as priority areas for collaboration. She disclosed that plans were already underway to establish direct flights between Nigeria and Colombia.
“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, noting that renewed relations would also serve as a platform to advance social justice, gender equality, and inclusivity.
She further underscored Nigeria’s leadership position in Africa and the African Union’s focus on restoration and reparative initiatives, describing them as pivotal to deepening ties between Latin America and the Caribbean.
Top officials 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.