ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – President of the Nigerian Senate, Sen Godswill Akpabio, has called for the deepening of bilateral ties between Nigeria and Morocco, stressing the mutual benefits such a relationship would bring to both nations.
Akpabio made the remarks on Wednesday while receiving the Moroccan Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Moha Ouali Tagma, who paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Describing Morocco as an emerging hub for investment, Akpabio noted that the North African country is rapidly becoming a key economic partner to Nigeria. He revealed that the Nigerian Parliament has already signed an agreement to establish a Nigeria-Morocco Parliamentary Friendship Group, underscoring the country’s commitment to closer ties with Rabat.
“Morocco is fast becoming a destination Nigerians want to do business with. The relationship is not just diplomatic, it is economic—and it’s already yielding results,” Akpabio said.
He highlighted a significant investment already made in Nigeria by Moroccan interests, noting: “In my state alone, you have invested about $1.5 billion in the fertilizer industry. That is commendable. It will create jobs and drive economic growth.”
Akpabio also reiterated Nigeria’s interest in expanding cooperation in the oil and gas sector, particularly through the ongoing Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project. He disclosed that recent updates from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) indicated progress on the project, with technical challenges—such as the pipeline crossing the River Niger—now resolved.
“I was concerned about the pace of the project, but I’ve been informed that the major hurdles have been overcome. We are on course, and this pipeline will allow us to export our rich gas reserves through Morocco,” he said.
In his remarks, Ambassador Tagma thanked the Senate President for the warm reception and affirmed Morocco’s readiness to bolster ties with Nigeria at both governmental and parliamentary levels. He extended an invitation for a parliamentary visit to Morocco, aimed at further consolidating the strategic partnership between the two African powers.
