The Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, Francia Márquez, on Saturday, arrived in Abuja on a 3-day official visit to Nigeria.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, in a statement, said the Vice President who is accompanied by her spouse, Rafael Yerney Pinillo Ocoró, on the visit to Nigeria, is expected to use the opportunity deepen diplomatic and strategic relations between Nigeria and Colombia.
Nigeria’s trade with Colombia trade relationships is said to have seen a 41.1% growth between 2023 and 2025.
Nigeria exports crude oil and fertilizers to Colombia , which in turn exports hides, confectionery, and baked goods to Nigeria.
In 2023, Nigeria’s exports to Colombia reached $165 million, a significant increase from 2018, while Colombia’s exports to Nigeria were $8.71 million.
The visit is seen as part of efforts at strengthening ties between the two nations in various sectors, including trade, agriculture, education, and culture, according to statements from both countries’ officials.
Nkwocha noted that the visit will enhance collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including governance, trade, agriculture, energy, education, and security, among others.
“The Colombian Vice President, is also accompanied on the visit by cabinet ministers, top government officials and business sector leaders who are set to engage their Nigerian counterparts in discussions around key areas aimed at strengthening ties between both countries.”
A key highlight of the visit is the signing of Memoranda of Understanding in strategic areas of the economy, including women empowerment, trade, aviation, manufacturing, agriculture, and culture, among others.
The visit will also feature a plenary session to be graced by both Vice Presidents and the Nigeria-Colombia Business Forum; government to government bilateral meetings; side events, including high-level business sector meetings hosted by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as a summit on Artificial Intelligence.
The Colombian leader was received on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, Mariyam Bunkure, Minister of State, FCT, Zainab Umar, Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other senior government officials.
