Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria seal gas pipeline agreement

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea signed an agreement on Wednesday evening in Malabo to launch the Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project.

This agreement is set to bolster mutual development and strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.

The comprehensive accord encompasses legislative and regulatory frameworks for the gas pipeline, its establishment and operation, natural gas transit, and ownership principles, laying the groundwork for extensive cooperation in the energy sector.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, President Tinubu, who is on a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea, highlighted the immense potential the agreement holds for both countries.

“The signing of this agreement will open up new opportunities for gas exploration and employment,” Tinubu remarked.

In a private meeting preceding the formal signing, the two leaders delved into discussions on employment creation, food security, multilateral relations, and conflict resolution mechanisms across the continent.

“Concerning Africa, conflicts and conflict resolution were discussed. We talked about promotion of peace and stability in our countries, and growth and prosperity on our continent,” Tinubu elaborated.

President Tinubu emphasized the importance of internal solutions to African challenges, citing the need for investment in capital, industrialization, research, and development to navigate and resolve conflicts. “Instead of the crisis and conflicts that we see in the Republic of Congo, and others, we have to look inwards to solve problems ourselves,” he asserted.

The discussions also touched on security challenges, the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), and food security. “Within Africa and the African Union, we have resolved that we will work together to make sure that the solution to many of our problems in Africa comes from within,” President Tinubu concluded.

President Mbasogo echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the fruitful bilateral relations between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea and underscoring the necessity of deepening cooperation in critical areas. He also reiterated Africa’s aspiration for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, a goal that Equatorial Guinea is committed to pursuing in partnership with Nigeria.

The signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from both countries, including Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Simeon Oyono Esono. Other notable attendees were 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, Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo; and Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim-Biu.