King Mohammed VI of Morocco and President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met at the Presidential Villa to facilitate discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral and economic ties between the two countries.
Buhari and the visiting King were expected to sign about 15 bilateral agreements, specifically touching on trade and the oil sector.
“The Moroccan monarch, who was received on arrival by the President, proceeded to inspect a guard of honour mounted by officers and men of the Brigade of Guards in the forecourt of the Presidential Villa.
The brief event was preceded by a 21-gun salute.
He, thereafter, accompanied Buhari to the National Mosque for Jum’at prayers before they returned to commence talks.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, told State House correspondents on the sideline of the event that at the end the three-day visit, Nigerians and the citizens of Morocco would benefit immensely from the renewed diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
On what Nigeria stands to gain from the King’s visit, the minister said: “Hopefully, in the short and medium terms, it could run into billions.
“We are looking at a trans-Africa gas pipeline that is going to run along the coast of West Africa from Nigeria to Morocco, giving us the potential to supply gas to Europe directly. We are talking of billions of dollars there.
“Also, in the area of production of fertilizer, establishing production plant here to produce fertilizer and supply to West Africa is also going to run into billions of dollars.
“The visit is very important; it is a win-win visit for both countries.”
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