Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigeria and Colombia to harness their abundant resources and deepen trade for the mutual benefit of both nations.
He made the call on Monday at the opening of the Nigeria–Colombia Business Forum, which is part of the three-day official visit of Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Márquez, to Nigeria.
Speaking at the plenary session of the Forum, Vice President Shettima said both nations must transform their abundant potential into tangible economic gains, led by the private sector through new partnerships and innovative solutions.
This, he said, should be driven by the private sectors of the two nations, exploring new opportunities, deepening partnerships, and addressing common challenges.
“We cannot achieve that unless we compare our differences and similarities, as well as our resources and potential.… pic.twitter.com/YgaT2XmCXw
— Senator Kashim Shettima (@officialSKSM) September 1, 2025
“We cannot achieve that unless we compare our differences and similarities, as well as our resources and potential. This is a practical way to propel trade and investment, improve agriculture, foster culture, and exchange ideas that will mutually benefit our countries,” he said.
Shettima stressed that Nigeria is diversifying its economy beyond crude oil into agriculture, minerals, and manufacturing, while also elevating its agricultural sector from subsistence to large-scale agribusiness. He identified cocoa, coffee, tropical fruits, energy, textiles, and machinery as natural pillars of collaboration between the nations.
“The private sectors of our two nations are therefore urged to take advantage of the abundant potential of our countries and transform them into tangible economic gains,” he added.
On cultural ties, the vice president said culture must serve as a bridge for innovation and prosperity, noting Nigeria’s creative sector as a powerful driver for youth employment.
“It is therefore time to collaborate in capacity building, skill development, cultural exchange, digital innovation, and intellectual property protection. We must extend our acquaintance to each other’s literature, languages, music, films, arts, and festivals,” Shettima declared.
For her part, Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez said her country considers Nigeria a strategic market and is seeking new paths in renewable energy, higher education, and technology.
“We will work together for social development, social justice, peace, and security for our people,” she assured.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, described the ties as historically significant, recalling Nigeria’s links with Colombia during the slave trade era, while Colombia’s Deputy Minister of Multilateral Affairs, Mauricio Jaramillo Jassir, said it was vital to diversify Colombia’s relationship with the world through stronger ties with Nigeria.
On the economic front, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms, including the removal of the petroleum subsidy, exchange rate unification, and fiscal tightening, as structural steps aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.
Two bilateral memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were also announced: one to establish frequent political dialogue between the two nations and another to ease visa approvals for Colombian diplomats visiting Nigeria.
By reinforcing trade, cultural exchanges, and economic partnerships, both Nigeria and Colombia signalled their determination to turn shared potential into shared prosperity.