Nigeria and Qatar: A Partnership for a Greener Future
Jerry Adesewo
When President Bola Tinubu visited Qatar last week, he was not only seeking to strengthen the diplomatic ties between the two nations, but also to explore the potential of a partnership that could transform the global energy landscape.
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Accompanied by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Tinubu met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and discussed various areas of cooperation, especially in the gas sector.
Nigeria and Qatar are both endowed with abundant natural gas reserves, which they have been using to power their economies and export to other markets. However, both countries are also aware of the need to transition from non-renewable energy sources to cleaner and more sustainable alternatives, in line with the global efforts to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In his lecture at the Doha Diplomatic Institute, Tuggar outlined the vision of Nigeria and Qatar to leverage their gas resources to foster a green energy transition, not only for themselves, but also for the rest of the world. He said “gas, as a cleaner and cheaper fuel than oil and coal, can serve as a bridge to a low-carbon future. Nigeria and Qatar can work together to develope their gas assets and expand their market share.”
Tuggar also highlighted the benefits of such a partnership for Africa and the global gas sector, saying that Nigeria and Qatar can help other countries diversify their energy sources, create more stable prices, and stimulate economic growth and development. He cited several projects that Nigeria is undertaking or planning to undertake, such as the expansion of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity, the construction of two major gas pipelines to Europe, and the supply of gas to Equatorial Guinea’s Bioko Island LNG plant.
Tuggar, a former Ambassador of Nigeria to Germany, also emphasised the role of Qatar as a strategic partner and mediator for Nigeria, especially in the realisation of the ambitious Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, which would span over 15 countries and connect to the existing Maghreb-European Pipeline. He emohasised that “Qatar has the experience, the skills, and the neutrality to facilitate such a complex project, which could pave the way for a new diplomatic order in the region, based on mutual trust and cooperation.”
Particularly, as the world faces the challenges of climate change and energy security, Nigeria and Qatar are showing that they are ready to lead the way towards a greener and brighter future.