President Bola Tinubu has signed an agreement on Gulf of Guinea pipeline project with President Teodoro Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea.
Signed on Wednesday evening in Malabo, the agreement covers legislative and regulatory measures for the gas pipeline, establishment and operation, transit of natural gas, ownership of the gas pipeline, and general principles.
President Tinubu, who is on a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea, said the agreement will open up new opportunities for gas exploration and employment.
He said he and Mbasogo discussed issues related to the creation of employment, food security, multilateral relations, and conflict resolution mechanisms on the continent during a private meeting that preceded the signing of the agreement.
“Concerning Africa, conflicts and conflict resolution were discussed. We discussed various areas of conflicts and what we can do to promote peace.
“We talked about promotion of peace and stability in our countries, and growth and prosperity on our continent.
“In the same way that Europe and America have kept themselves and found a solution for their conflicts, we have to look at both inadequate capital, industrialization efforts, research and development programmes, and enlighten our people, navigate our way through problems.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He noted that the discussion with the Equatorial Guinea leader also covered challenges of security, African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), and food security.
Mbasogo said bilateral relations with Nigeria over many years have been rewarding and emphasised the need to deepen cooperation across salient areas.
He said Africa’s vision of having a permanent seat in the security council of the United Nations is vital for the development of the continent, affirming that Equatorial Guinea will work with Nigeria to realise the objective.
Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs Yusuf Tuggar and his counterpart in Equatorial Guinea Simeon Esono also signed the agreement.
Minister of justice and attorney general of the federation, Lateef Fagbemi; minister of defence, Muhammad Abubakar; minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; minister of state, petroleum, gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo; and minister of youth development, Jamila Ibrahim-Biu, were present at the signing of the agreement.
