The governments of Nigeria and Colombia have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on political consultations, opening a new and significant chapter in relations between both countries.
The MOU signed on Monday during the Nigeria-Colombia Bilateral Meeting and Business Forum at the Presidential Villa was appended by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, and the Deputy Minister, Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombia, Mauricio Jaramillo Jassir.
Jassir explained that on the bilateral front, the MoU relates to “very frequent political dialogue” with Nigeria and visa approvals for its diplomats, thereby making it easier for its diplomats to visit Nigeria.
Speaking at the plenary session of the Nigeria-Colombia Business Forum, the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, implored both Nigeria and Colombia to take advantage of their abundant potential and turn them into palpable and substantial economic gains.
This, he said, should be driven by the private sectors of the two nations, exploring new opportunities, deepen partnerships, and address common challenges.
Senator Shettima also noted that while the skepticism about the global economy, and its unpredictable politics that routinely underbids is redefining trade patterns, Nigeria had since deemed it necessary to diversify and expand its exports beyond crude oil, with agriculture, minerals, and manufactured products as some of the new areas of concentration.
In response to the global constraints, VP Shettima explained that Nigeria is working towards elevating its agriculture from subsistence to mega-business, as well as transforming smallholders into global conglomerates.
For her part, the Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, Mrs. Francia Márquez, said her team was in Nigeria to reaffirm bilateral relations, noting that the country remains a strategic market for Colombia.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, maintained that Colombia’s history is tied to Nigeria, particularly during the slave trade when Nigerians found their way to Colombia.
He said the development is an opportunity to strengthen historical and economic ties between both countries and bolster trade, adding that there “is room for improvement” in areas such as agriculture, hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals.
Also, the Deputy Minister of Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombia, Mauricio Jaramillo Jassir, said it is very important for Colombia to diversify its relationship with the world, especially with Nigeria.
