He said Nigeria remains focused on translating the outcomes of bilateral meetings, supervised by Vice President Kashim Shettima, into tangible benefits for both countries.
Today, I welcomed Vice President Francia Márquez of Colombia to the Aso Villa. Her words about returning to “the land of our ancestors” remind us that no ocean can separate a shared heritage.
For centuries, history may have created divisions between Africa and Latin America, but… pic.twitter.com/5FtRGzcuij
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) September 1, 2025
“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 enhanced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will accelerate that,” President Tinubu said.
The president encouraged Colombian business leaders to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and agriculture, stressing that the country’s youthful population provides both a vibrant market and a skilled workforce to drive growth.
Vice President Kashim Shettima noted that the visit rekindled ancestral ties disrupted by slavery and colonialism while also setting the stage for stronger political, cultural, and economic collaboration.
“This visit from the Colombian vice president rekindles ancestral connections disrupted by slavery and colonialism and positions both nations for a prosperous partnership,” VP Shettima said.
For her part, Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez highlighted aviation, visas, political consultations, cultural exchanges, and trade as key areas of partnership.
“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.
She added that the visit would cement a lasting relationship built on shared cultural heritage and mutual values.
“We have had a meeting with the business leaders in aviation on the need to start direct flights to Colombia,” Márquez revealed, assuring that relations with Nigeria would advance social justice, gender equality, and inclusivity.
She also emphasised that Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, coupled with the African Union’s commitment to restoration and reparation, would strengthen relations with Latin America and the Caribbean.
Those 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.