Abuja, Nigeria (CU)_ A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Morocco and Nigeria this week in Abuja, Nigeria, to collaborate in the study and development of biotechnological goods and processes, including the manufacturing of bio-fertilizer and bio-fungicide. The MoU would boost bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and Morocco as well as enhance the development of biotechnological goods.
For signing the deal, Morocco was represented by Rahad Global Investment Limited, whereas the Federal Government of Nigeria was represented by the Nigerian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The Moroccan firm RVD Equipment Industries’ Nigerian affiliate is the Rahad Global Investment Limited.
According to Nigerian media, the deal comprises a wide range of biotechnological research and development efforts that cover drinking water and wastewater treatment, gas treatment, sulphur dioxide reduction, soil biodegradation, and stem cells treatment for diabetics and cancer patients. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2018 visit to Morocco paved the way for the agreement.
According to Ogbonnaya Onu, Nigeria’s Minister of Science, “it is important for the two countries to cooperate in the field of science, technology, and innovation (STI)”. He expressed that the country is eager to use STI to fully exploit Nigeria’s huge natural resources to boost employment and GDP. According to Onu, Africa has a plethora of minerals and metals resources for industrial applications, but the region must implement STI similar to other industrialized countries. He also advocated for intra-Africa collaboration with the goal of ensuring the deployment of STI for mutual benefit.
omicspublishinggroup.wordpress.com
Moha Tagma, Morocco’s ambassador to Nigeria, emphasized that the MoU represents the start of a long-term cooperation between the two nations. Tagma, who was represented by Moroccan envoy Mouad Lahyani, stated, “Such partnerships with ecological scope will allow Nigeria to exploit its agricultural potentials and ensure sustainable development.”
Furthermore, Chbihi Drias, chairman of RAHAD Global Investment Limited, stated that the business is eager to collaborate and engage with Nigeria to ensure the agreement’s success. Morocco’s attempts to foster South-South cooperation resulted in resumed diplomatic meetings with Nigeria’s and Djibouti’s foreign ministers in May.
The announcement comes after Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari thanked Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for signing a new fertilizer agreement worth $1.3 billion (MAD 11.7 billion). On the other hand, since its initiation in December 2016, the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project has advanced at a breakneck rate. The project has progressed to the second stage of front-end engineering design, which took only less than five years to complete.
