Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sustained efforts to stimulate growth and support Nigerian businesses and also strengthen investor confidence in the national economy, describing the process as central to Nigeria’s expanding economic diplomacy.
According to a statement signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, SA Media and Comms Strategy, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affaiir, the minister made the commendation during the signing of an agreement for the development of telecommunications infrastructure in Malabo to service Equatorial Guinea.
The project centres on a subsea fibre-optic cable designed to boost broadband capacity, digital communications, and cybersecurity cooperation across the region.
According to Tuggar, the initiative builds directly on President Tinubu’s official visit to Equatorial Guinea in August 2024, during which several bilateral agreements were concluded noting that the new telecommunications project represents a practical outcome of those engagements, aimed at deepening economic connectivity across Africa.
The agreement on principles was signed by Alh. Ibrahim Dikko on behalf of Backbone Connectivity Network Nigeria Ltd (BNC), while Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Transport, Telecommunications and Artificial Intelligence Systems, Honorato Evita Oma, signed for his government.
BCN is expected to play a major role in expanding digital infrastructure, strengthening connectivity, and enhancing cybersecurity capabilities.
The signing ceremony was supervised by Equatorial Guinea’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Business Promotion and Industry, Gaudencio Mohaba Messu. It was witnessed by Ambassador Tuggar; Equatorial Guinea’s Foreign Minister, Simeón Oyono Esono Angüe; and senior officials from both countries.
President Tinubu’s 2024 visit to Malabo was aimed at broadening Nigeria–Central Africa economic engagement while reinforcing Africa-led solutions in development cooperation. Officials say the new digital infrastructure project reflects growing momentum in regional economic integration and technology-driven development across the continent.
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