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Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline will boost West African growth, renewable energy expansion- Stakeholders
Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline will boost West African growth, renewable energy expansion- Stakeholders
By: Michael Mike
The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, a 6,800-kilometer project linking Nigeria’s gas reserves to Morocco, is expected to boost energy security, regional economic growth, and support the shift towards renewable energy across West Africa.
During a meeting in Abuja on Friday, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Ministers of Energy and Hydrocarbons convened to review key agreements on this initiative, named the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), and to establish the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility (EREEEF).
The pipeline project, developed in partnership with Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) is targeted not only to fuel industries and drive economic growth across the region but also to align with climate goals by providing a transitional, lower-pollution energy source.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, Sédiko Douka, during the opening ceremony of the Abuja meeting highlighted the pivotal steps in ECOWAS’s energy ambitions.
Douka, who represented Omar Alieu Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, noted that the ministerial meeting aimed to solidify key agreements on the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) and the establishment of the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility (EREEEF).
Douka said the importance of the AAGP, a project that will link Nigeria to Morocco via a 6,800 km pipeline, passing through all ECOWAS coastal countries, Mauritania, and the landlocked nations of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Initially proposed during a 2016 meeting between Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Nigeria’s then-President, the pipeline is now a collaborative effort between Nigeria’s NNPC and Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM).
According to him, ECOWAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NNPC and ONHYM in 2022, and the project gained further traction in July 2023, when ECOWAS leaders endorsed a decision to merge this pipeline with the West African Gas Pipeline Extension Project (WAGPEP).
“The AAGP will create access to natural gas across West Africa, fueling industries, agriculture, and power generation, and driving economic growth. This project is of vital importance for our region,” Douka said.
He emphasized that, although natural gas is a fossil fuel, it produces relatively low levels of pollutants and serves as an effective transitional energy source.
“The gas pipeline project supports both regional development and global climate goals by advancing clean energy initiatives, from mobility solutions to clean cooking options”, he stated.
The meeting also focused on enhancing renewable energy in West Africa, where Douka highlighted that only about 20% of the region’s hydroelectric potential is currently tapped.
“The ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility (EREEEF) will aim to increase renewable energy’s role in the region’s energy mix.
“Key policy documents under discussion include a directive for solar photovoltaic technologies and model agreements for public-private partnerships, power purchasing, and project implementation for solar projects”, he noted.
Douka underscored the need for collaboration among member states to overcome energy access barriers and to develop a reliable energy infrastructure that will support both the AAGP and renewable energy projects.
He also pointed to challenges within the ECOWAS energy framework, including WAPP’s debt recovery issues and ERERA’s need for support to fully operationalize the regional electricity market.
By mid-December, ECOWAS hopes to have these agreements approved by its statutory bodies, setting the stage for action on both the gas pipeline and renewable energy projects.
On his part, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), emphasized the importance of collaboration and strategic agreements to drive the region’s hydrocarbon and energy growth.
Ekpo noted that the AAGP is more than an infrastructure venture—it’s a step toward building a deeply interconnected energy network across Africa.
He explained that the Draft Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and Host Government Agreement (HGA) will be vital for setting the framework for this collaboration, fostering stability and equitable terms among participating nations.
“The AAGP is set to stretch from Nigeria to Morocco, passing through multiple ECOWAS countries.
“The pipeline promises to open new markets, bolster regional energy security, and spur economic growth by linking Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to North Africa and Europe”, Ekpo said.
Ekpo also highlighted that this could be transformative for economies across the region, bringing increased industrialization and job creation to communities along the pipeline route.
The Minister also took the opportunity to acknowledge the role of the existing 678-kilometer West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), which currently supplies gas from Nigeria to Benin, Togo, and Ghana.
He praised WAGP’s achievements and resilience, noting its role in connecting Ghana’s domestic gas sources from its western to eastern coast.
Ekpo also pointed out that the success of the WAGP would not have been possible without the oversight of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA), which has served as the regulator for WAGP countries for over two decades.
He stressed that WAGPA’s future role could be instrumental, given its extensive experience in regional gas regulation.
Ekpo described the initiative as a crucial opportunity to create a united vision for West Africa’s energy future.
“These agreements hold the power to reshape our energy landscape, strengthen our economies, and uplift our people,” he said,
He urged leaders to prioritize cooperation and resilience, while commending the commitment of energy experts who have worked tirelessly to develop the draft agreements, which are set to be presented to ECOWAS Heads of Government in December 2024 for final endorsement.
Ekpo also called on all ECOWAS members to support the region’s ambitions for energy security, sustainable infrastructure, and economic growth.
“Together, let us continue to advance the goals of energy security, sustainable infrastructure, and economic prosperity for all of Africa,” he stated.
Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, represented by Mahmuda Mamman, the Permanent Secretary noted that these would guide the region toward reliable and sustainable energy solutions.
“With more than 200 million people in West Africa lacking access to electricity, it is imperative that we take decisive actions,” he stated.
Mamman highlighted the vast potential of solar, wind, and hydro resources, noting that West Africa has the opportunity to not only address its own energy deficits but also to set an example for sustainable development.
“By harnessing these resources, we can drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for millions of citizens,” he added.
He stressed the importance of technologies and practices that reduce consumption while boosting productivity.
“This regulatory framework will ensure that we prioritize energy-efficient solutions that contribute to sustainable development and protect our environment for future generations,” he explained.
He also added that the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility represents a transformative step for the region.
He called on private sector partners and civil society groups to unite behind this vision, leveraging collective resources to turn policy into action that will benefit local communities.
“Together, we will overcome barriers and unlock the full potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency across our region,” he said.
He further urged a renewed commitment to the region’s sustainable energy future, acknowledging the challenges ahead but expressing confidence that a collective approach would bring success.
The Minister commended the ECOWAS and its international partners for their persistent efforts in shaping the regulatory frameworks under discussion.
Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline will boost West African growth, renewable energy expansion- Stakeholders
Boko Haram beheads women found with charms, accuses them of shirk in Gwoza
By: Zagazola Makama
Fighters of the Boko Haram faction loyal to Ali Ngulde have beheaded two women in the Mandara Mountain area of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State after accusing them of engaging in shirk (idolatry).
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were apprehended by the terrorists who alleged they were found with charms (layu) during a search around its settlements.
In the video the insurgents claimed the charms found on the women were evidence of forbidden practices and immediately subjected them to the faction’s makeshift trial system.
They accused the two women of practising shirk after they found some charms on them. The terrorists took them to a secluded part of the mountains and executed them after the so-called trial,” the source said.
He added that the execution was carried out publicly in the presence of other fighters and people to instill fear and enforce obedience to the faction’s doctrines.
Zagazola reports that the Ali Ngulde faction has intensified punitive measures in recent months, targeting individuals accused of sorcery and spying while some were killed for attempting to defect..
Boko Haram beheads women found with charms, accuses them of shirk in Gwoza
NSCDC intercepts diverted Yobe government tractors, exposes alleged sabotage ring in ministry
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yobe have intercepted two government-owned tractors allegedly being smuggled out of the state for illegal sale, uncovering what sources describe as an “internal sabotage network” within the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the tractors, part of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s agricultural support programme, were reportedly diverted by officials who have long been suspected of selling government-owned farm machinery to neighbouring states.
It was gathered that the latest incident occurred on Oct. 22 when NSCDC personnel intercepted two tractors being moved from an estate along the bypass in Damaturu and headed towards the Nayinawa axis, allegedly en route out of the state.
A security source said that the tractors bore clear government insignia, leaving no doubt about their ownership. However, more than one month after the interception, no official from the Ministry of Agriculture including the Commissioner, Permanent Secretary or any departmental director, has stepped forward to officially claim the machinery or explain the circumstances surrounding the attempted diversion.
“These tractors carry bold government identification. Despite that, no authorised official has come to claim them or provide documentation. Instead, we have seen strong behind-the-scenes pressure to release them quietly,” the source said.
According to the source, the NSCDC officer who made the arrest insisted that all parties involved must appear to provide explanations before the tractors could be released. His refusal to bow to pressure allegedly angered influential interests both within the Corps and in the state bureaucracy.
Zagazola gathered that the officer was subsequently transferred out of Yobe State in what insiders described as an attempt to “bury the case and silence resistance”.
Investigations further revealed that this was not the first diversion of agricultural machinery under the state’s empowerment scheme. Some tractors were reportedly smuggled and sold in a neighbouring state months earlier, with no internal accountability action taken.
The diversion of the tractors undermines Governor Buni’s vision of strengthening mechanised farming, boosting food production and mitigating food shortages in Yobe.
A senior agricultural stakeholder, who pleaded anonymity, said: This is pure economic sabotage. These tractors were procured to support farmers and strengthen food security. Diverting them for personal gain is not just theft it is an attack on the state’s development.”
Zagazola reports that the tractors remain in NSCDC custody pending official claim and clarifications. Both the NSCDC and the Ministry of Agriculture have not issued public statements on the development as at the time of filing this report.
NSCDC intercepts diverted Yobe government tractors, exposes alleged sabotage ring in ministry
DSS arrests notorious bandit in Bauchi village, recovers cash and ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended a notorious bandit in Bojinji Village on the outskirts of Bauchi during a surprise raid, recovering millions of naira in cash and a large cache of ammunition.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect had relocated to Bauchi from Zamfara State, claiming to be fleeing persecution, and had settled in the community with his family. Bauchi has been a preferred destination for people affected by conflicts in neighbouring states, but security operatives say some criminal elements exploit this pattern to mask their activities.
The raid, carried out without prior warning, caught residents by surprise. “The DSS traced the suspect’s illicit wealth and movements before executing the operation,” a security source said.
Investigations revealed that the suspect was known locally for his lavish lifestyle, spending entire days drinking at Unguwar Yelwan Angas and buying alcohol for others, but no one suspected him of criminal activity until the DSS intervention.
Security officials have urged community members to assist security agencies by reporting suspicious individuals, particularly those whose lifestyle appears inconsistent with their means, as such vigilance is critical to preventing crimes and exposing criminal networks.
Security sources have confirmed that further investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the bandit’s operations and any accomplices within the state.
DSS arrests notorious bandit in Bauchi village, recovers cash and ammunition
Boko Haram beheads women found with charms, accuses them of shirk in Gwoza
NSCDC intercepts diverted Yobe government tractors, exposes alleged sabotage ring in ministry
I performed over 73 mass burials of Christians; I buried 501 in one village, and they say there is no genocide against Christians? – Ezekiel Dacho
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