President Muhammadu Buhari has indicated that Nigeria is ready to fill the natural gas gaps in Europe predicated by the current Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
He made the announcement on Thursday, June 30, in Lisbon, Portugal, where he is on a State Visit, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson said in a statement.
According to the statement, Buhari said with over 200 million mainly young people, Nigeria is ready to be the hub of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).
He urged Portugal to consider Nigeria as a valued and trusted partner in Africa at a time the world was going through turbulent times.
President Buhari identified five key areas of cooperation and collaboration capable of moving both countries forward, including oil and gas, tourism and hospitality industry, air travel, security and joint commission.
On oil and gas, President Buhari said with the current Russian-Ukraine war, increased cooperation in oil and gas between the two countries has become vital to avoid crisis in the demand and supply chain, even as Nigeria is already a major supplier of gas to Portugal.
On tourism, the President noted that Nigeria had huge potential in the sector and would like to benefit from Portugal’s expertise.
On air travel, he emphasized the need to sign a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) and establish a direct air link between the two countries.
