Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez Arrives in Abuja for Official Visit to Strengthen Nigeria-Colombia Relations

Francia Márquez, the Vice President of Colombia, arrived in Abuja on Saturday for a three-day official visit to Nigeria. Accompanied by her husband, Mr. Rafael Yerney Pinillo Ocoró, the Colombian VP was warmly received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by several Nigerian government officials, including Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology; Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs; Dr. Mariya Mahmud Bunkure, Minister of State, FCT; and Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Márquez’s visit is set to enhance diplomatic ties and foster greater collaboration between Nigeria and Colombia in key areas such as governance, trade, agriculture, energy, education, and security. She is accompanied by a delegation of cabinet ministers, senior government officials, and business sector leaders, all of whom are expected to hold discussions with their Nigerian counterparts aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

A major highlight of the visit will be the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in areas including women empowerment, trade, aviation, agriculture, manufacturing, and culture. The visit will also feature a plenary session with both Vice Presidents and a Nigeria-Colombia Business Forum. Additionally, there will be government-to-government bilateral meetings, side events, and high-level business discussions hosted by Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, alongside a summit on Artificial Intelligence.