By Damilola Charles
Colombia’s President-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, has announced plans to establish an embassy in Nigeria to strengthen bilateral relations and expand the country’s engagement with Africa.
De la Espriella disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after his national address ahead of his inauguration on Aug. 7.
He said the embassy would boost trade, investment and diplomatic cooperation between Colombia and Nigeria, noting that Nigeria plays a strategic role in Colombia’s renewed engagement with Africa.
The president-elect said Colombia currently maintains diplomatic relations with Nigeria through its Honorary High Consul, Mrs Maricel Romero, who he credited with advancing commercial and cultural relations between both 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 aimed at improving efficiency and optimising resources.
“We will determine whether all the embassies that remain open should continue as they are,” he said.
De la Espriella explained that while some diplomatic missions might be merged or managed through concurrent accreditation, opening an embassy in Nigeria remained a priority.
He 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)