President Bola Tinubu and Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Mbasogo signed a pivotal agreement on the Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project during a ceremony in Malabo on Wednesday evening, solidifying a partnership aimed at mutual development.
According to a statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale on Thursday, the agreement encompasses legislative and regulatory measures for the gas pipeline’s establishment and operation, natural gas transit, pipeline ownership, and overarching principles.
During the event, President Tinubu, who is on a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea, highlighted that the agreement would unlock new opportunities for gas exploration and job creation. The two leaders also engaged in private discussions on employment, food security, multilateral relations, and conflict resolution across the continent.
President Tinubu emphasized the importance of African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges, drawing parallels to how Europe and America have managed their conflicts. He underscored the need for capital, industrialization, research, and development to address these issues internally rather than relying on external interventions.
The discussions also covered security challenges, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and food security, with both leaders committing to work together to find solutions from within the continent.
President Mbasogo praised the longstanding bilateral relations between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria, expressing a desire to deepen cooperation in key areas. He also emphasized the importance of Africa securing a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, pledging Equatorial Guinea’s support for Nigeria in this endeavor.
The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simeon Esono. Other key Nigerian officials present at the signing included the Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of State, Petroleum, Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo; and Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim-Biu.
