President Bola Tinubu and Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Mbasogo signed a significant agreement on the Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project on Wednesday evening in Malabo, solidifying their partnership for mutual development.
According to presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, the agreement addresses legislative and regulatory measures concerning the gas pipeline, its establishment, operation, and transit of natural gas, as well as ownership and general principles related to the project.
During the signing ceremony, President Tinubu, who is on a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea, emphasized that the agreement would create new opportunities for gas exploration and job creation.
He highlighted the extensive discussions held with President Mbasogo on various key issues, including employment, food security, multilateral relations, and conflict resolution on the continent.
President Tinubu remarked on the importance of addressing conflicts and promoting stability, drawing parallels with how Europe and America have managed their challenges.
He stressed the need for African countries to look inward for solutions to their problems, emphasizing industrialization, research and development, and self-reliance.
The discussions also covered security challenges, the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), and food security, with President Tinubu reaffirming a commitment to collaborative efforts within Africa to resolve these issues internally.
Equatorial Guinean President Mbasogo acknowledged the longstanding and rewarding bilateral relations with Nigeria and underscored the importance of deepening cooperation.
He highlighted Africa’s aspiration for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as vital for the continent’s development and affirmed Equatorial Guinea’s commitment to working with Nigeria toward this goal.
The signing ceremony was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and his Equatorial Guinean counterpart, Simeon Esono.
Other notable attendees included Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of State for Petroleum and Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo; and Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim-Biu.
This agreement represents a strategic step forward for Africa’s development and exemplifies the growing cooperation between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
