On Wednesday evening in Malabo, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea signed a pivotal agreement on the Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project, solidifying their commitment to collaborative development.
This agreement, as revealed by Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, in a statement on Thursday, outlines the legislative and regulatory frameworks for the pipeline, including its construction, operation, and natural gas transit. It also addresses the ownership of the pipeline and the guiding principles for the project.
During the signing ceremony, President Tinubu, who is on a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea, expressed that the agreement would unlock new opportunities for gas exploration and job creation.
Before the signing, the two presidents held a private meeting to discuss pressing issues, including job creation, food security, multilateral relations, and conflict resolution strategies across Africa.
President Tinubu emphasized the need for Africa to develop its own solutions to its challenges, particularly in maintaining peace and stability. He highlighted the importance of addressing the continent’s issues through internal efforts, much like Europe and America have done in their regions.
“We need to focus on resolving our challenges—whether it’s lack of capital, the need for industrialization, or enhancing research and development. Rather than allowing crises like those in the Republic of Congo to persist, we must find solutions within our own continent,” Tinubu remarked.
He also mentioned that their discussion covered security concerns, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and food security. Tinubu reaffirmed the commitment of African nations to work together to ensure that solutions to the continent’s problems are sourced from within.
President Mbasogo, in his address, highlighted the long-standing and beneficial relationship between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria and called for even greater cooperation in key areas. He also underscored the importance of Africa securing a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, a goal that Equatorial Guinea is committed to pursuing alongside Nigeria.
The agreement signing was attended by several prominent officials from both countries, including Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simeon Oyono Esono. Other notable attendees included Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, 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.
