Colombia’s President-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, has announced plans to establish an embassy in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and expand engagement with Africa.
De la Espriella made this known in a statement made available on Monday after his national address, ahead of his inauguration on August 7.
He said the embassy would promote stronger trade, investment and diplomatic cooperation between Colombia and Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria occupies a strategic position in Colombia’s renewed engagement with Africa because of its economic importance on the continent.
The president-elect said Colombia currently maintains diplomatic ties with Nigeria through its Honorary High Consul, Mrs. Maricel Romero, whom he credited with advancing commercial and cultural relations between the two countries.
He said establishing a resident embassy would provide a permanent diplomatic presence and create opportunities for deeper collaboration.
The planned mission, he added, forms part of a broader review of Colombia’s diplomatic network to improve efficiency and optimise the use of resources.
“We will determine whether all the embassies that remain open should continue as they are,” he said.
He explained that while some diplomatic missions might be merged or managed through concurrent accreditation, opening an embassy in Nigeria remained a priority.
De la Espriella also announced plans to conduct a technical audit of Colombia’s diplomatic missions within the first 100 days of his administration.
He said the audit would evaluate the effectiveness and contribution of each mission to the country’s foreign policy objectives and national interests.
The president-elect expressed optimism that the planned embassy would strengthen Colombia-Nigeria relations and promote greater economic, cultural and strategic cooperation.(NAN)
