President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria will adopt the same kind of bilateral air and consular agreements earlier signed with Brazil in its dealings with Colombia — www.naijnaira.com reports.
The assurance came during a meeting in Abuja with Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Márquez, and her delegation of political, business, and diplomatic leaders, according to Vanguard.
Tinubu told the visitors that Vice President Kashim Shettima and his team had already laid the foundation for stronger ties.
“I am confident that the Vice President and his team have done the groundwork,” he said. “Our business opportunities with Colombia have been significantly enhanced, and I support every aspect of the agreements you have reached.”
He explained that Nigeria’s aviation pact with Brazil could easily be mirrored with Colombia to boost flights and diplomatic engagement.
The President urged Colombian investors to consider opportunities in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and agricultural industries, pointing to the country’s large youth population as a ready workforce and consumer market.
Vice President Shettima described the visit as a chance to reconnect ancestral links cut off by slavery and colonialism, adding that shared political and cultural values would deepen cooperation.
Francia Márquez, Colombia’s first Black Vice President, expressed her excitement about visiting Nigeria, calling it the “beginning of a lasting relationship built on heritage.”
She announced discussions with aviation stakeholders about launching direct flights and spoke of plans to expand cooperation in visas, trade, cultural exchanges, and political dialogue.
Márquez also praised Nigeria’s influence in the African Union and stressed the importance of working together on gender equality, social justice, and inclusive development.
The meeting at the Presidential Villa included top Nigerian officials such as Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Industry and Trade Minister Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and Women Affairs Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
Article updated 5 days ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
