The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Sojitz Corporation of Japan o Monday in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Obob-Oben gas pipeline project in Nigeria's southeast Cross River State, according to the official News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.

    The project, which also includes the provision of some energy infrastructure, is seen as a prelude to the development of the domestic gas market and a booster to gas export, especially to West African countries.

    Abubakar Yar'Adua, group managing director of NNPC and Yasuyuki Fujishima, executive vice-president of Sojitz, signed the agreement on behalf of their companies.

    The signing was the climax of the tour of the visiting Japanese business delegation led by Masatoshi Nishimura, parliamentary vice minister for foreign affairs, to the country on how to participate in the Nigerian energy sector.

    The trio of Nigeria's Minister of State for Energy Odein Ajumogobia (Petroleum), Emmanuel Odusina (Gas) and Fatima Ibrahim (Power), also witnessed the ceremony and made presentations on their respective portfolios.

    While acknowledging the involvement of Japanese companies in various projects in the country over the years, the ministers called for increased investment by Japan in Nigeria, especially in the area of energy development.

    Earlier, Nishimura said Japan was committed to partnering with Nigeria and promoting good economic relations between the two countries.

    He expressed his happiness with the agreement reached between NNPC and Sojitz, which culminated in the signing of the MOU.

    Nishimura said that many Japanese companies were interested in Nigeria's oil and gas sector, specially in the development of the Liquefied Natural Gas.