Nigeria congratulates Colombia’s president-elect ahead of August 7 inauguration

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated Abelardo de la Espriella on his emergence as President-elect of Colombia, praising the outcome as a “democratic expression of the will of the Colombian people” and pledging to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, security and South-South ties.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Friday reaffirms shared values, outlines cooperation priorities
In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Nigeria extended “warmest congratulations” to de la Espriella and said it looks forward to working closely with his incoming administration before he assumes office on August 7, 2026.

The statement underlined common commitments to democracy, peace and sustainable development, and reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to “further strengthen the existing bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries in areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, security, and South-South cooperation.”

It added, “Nigeria expresses confidence that, under the leadership of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, the longstanding relations between the two countries will continue to deepen for the mutual benefit of their peoples.”

The release also highlighted a strategic shift in Colombia’s diplomatic footprint in Africa, noting that the incoming administration plans to open an embassy in Nigeria while closing missions in several other African countries—a move interpreted as a focused effort to deepen relations with Abuja.

Abelardo de la Espriella, a far-right millionaire lawyer and political outsider, was declared winner of Colombia’s June 21, 2026 presidential runoff with 49.66% of the vote, narrowly edging out leftist senator Iván Cepeda, who polled 48.70%.

He is due to be sworn in on August 7, 2026, for the 2026–2030 constitutional term, following certification by Colombia’s National Electoral Council.