Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has held a telephone conversation with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, to strengthen bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest between the two countries.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, both ministers reaffirmed the longstanding bonds of friendship between Nigeria and Morocco and expressed commitment to deepening cooperation in strategic sectors.
A major focus of the discussion was the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, also known as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a major infrastructure project along West Africa’s Atlantic coast.
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The Ministers emphasised the project’s importance in advancing regional energy security and economic integration.
The two ministers noted that the pipeline project is based on the partnership between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Mr Bourita further observed that, “Following the completion of preliminary technical studies by the relevant agencies, an Intergovernmental Agreement is expected to be signed by President Bola Tinubu and His Majesty King Mohammed VI in the last quarter of 2026.”
Beyond energy cooperation, both sides discussed opportunities for collaboration in fertiliser production and distribution, recognising the sector’s critical importance to food security across Africa.
On the diplomatic and economic front, Nigeria indicated it is considering hosting the second session of the Nigeria-Morocco Bilateral Joint Commission.
The session would help revitalise the bilateral agreements signed in June 2018 during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Morocco. “Re-establishing the Nigeria-Morocco Business Council as a crucial platform for promoting bilateral and continental economic cooperation, whilst utilising the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area and the treaty on the avoidance of double taxation between the two countries,” they emphasised.
Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister expressed appreciation for the invitation extended by Mr Bourita for an official visit to Morocco at a mutually convenient time.
The proposed visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and advance the shared vision of a strong Nigeria-Morocco partnership in support of Africa’s development.
