Akpabio Hails $1.5bn Moroccan Fertiliser Investment in Akwa Ibom

•Canvasses stronger Nigeria-Morocco economic ties

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has commended Morocco for its growing investment footprint in Nigeria, citing a $1.5 billion fertiliser project in Akwa Ibom State as a symbol of deepening economic cooperation between the two African nations.

Akpabio made the remarks on Wednesday while receiving the Moroccan Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Moha Ouali Tagma, during a courtesy visit to the National Assembly in Abuja.

He described Morocco as a rising economic partner and a “new destination for investment.”

 The Senate President said Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from stronger ties with the North African country.

He said: “The relationship between Nigeria and Morocco is no longer just a diplomatic one. It is now deeply economic and strategic.

“In my home state alone, you have already invested about $1.5 billion in the fertiliser industry. That is something to be applauded. It is creating jobs and boosting our agricultural value chain.”

He revealed the Nigerian Parliament has formalised its commitment to enhancing bilateral ties through the establishment of a Nigeria-Morocco Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Akpabio also expressed Nigeria’s interest in broadening cooperation in the oil and gas sector, particularly through the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project.

He disclosed that recent technical hurdles on the pipeline route across the River Niger had been resolved, allowing the project to move forward.

“I was very excited to hear that the project is back on track. It is a key initiative that will allow us to export our rich gas resources, deepen energy collaboration, and foster regional integration,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Ambassador Tagma noted that both Nigeria and Morocco are pivotal players on the African continent and should lead by example in forging stronger intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary relations.

He extended a formal invitation to the Nigerian Parliament for an official visit to Morocco to further consolidate bilateral ties and explore new areas of partnership.

With economic diplomacy at the forefront of Nigeria-Morocco relations, both countries appear poised to unlock new opportunities across trade, energy, and agriculture, setting a model for intra-African cooperation.