The Gulf of Guinea Pipeline Project agreement was signed by President Bola Tinubu and his Equatorial Guinean counterpart, Teodoro Mbasogo, on Wednesday in Malabo, further solidifying their collaboration for shared development.
According to a statement released on Thursday and signed by Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, “the agreement covered 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 and President Mbasogo sign agreement on the gas pipeline for the Gulf of Guinea,” reads the statement.
During his remarks at the event, Tinubu—who is now on an official three-day visit to Equatorial Guinea—stated that the agreement’s signature will create new avenues for employment and gas development.
He said that in a private discussion that took place before the accord was signed, the two leaders talked about matters pertaining to the continent’s employment, food security, multilateral ties, and dispute resolution processes.
“Conflicts and their settlement were discussed with reference to Africa. We talked about the many conflict domains and the ways in which we can advance peace.
We discussed the advancement of progress and wealth on our continent as well as peace and stability inside our own nations.
“Just as Europe and America have managed to maintain their identities while resolving their differences, we too must examine issues like insufficient funding, industrialization endeavors, R&D initiatives, and educating our populace to effectively navigate through challenges.”
“We have to look inward to solve problems ourselves, instead of the crisis and conflicts that we see in the Republic of Congo and others,” the President declared.
Additionally, Tinubu disclosed that the African Continental Free Trade Area, food security, and security challenges were discussed at the meeting with President Mbasogo.
“We’re all aiming high. We have decided within Africa and the African Union that we will cooperate to ensure that many of our problems in Africa have internal roots,” he said in closing.
The president of Equatorial Guinea stated in his speech that his country’s bilateral relations with Nigeria have been fruitful over a long period of time and that there is a need to strengthen collaboration in a number of important areas.
Mbasogo affirmed that Equatorial Guinea will collaborate with Nigeria to achieve the goal, saying that Africa’s aspiration of having a permanent seat in the UN Security Council is essential for the continent’s development.
The head of Equatorial Guinea stated that the agreement’s signature was crucial to the continent’s progress.
The agreement was also signed by Mr. Simeon Oyono Esono, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea, and Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar of Nigeria.
Present in equal measure were Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation; Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Defense; Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior; Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum and Gas; and Dr. Jamila Ibrahim-Bio, Minister of Youth Development.
