Moroccan official news agency MAP quoted Mustapha Baitas as saying that the project was progressing in line with the vision of both countries' leaders.

He said the project was part of "a strategic partnership" between the two countries.

The remarks follow a recent dispute between Spain and Algeria over gas supplies to Morocco.

Last week, Algeria threatened to cut off its gas supply to Spain if any of it ends up in another country - following Madrid's decision to supply gas to Morocco in a reverse flow through a pipeline that links Spain to Morocco.

Tensions between Morocco and Algeria have been worsening in recent months.

The two countries have long had a fractious relationship - especially over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

The Morocco-Nigeria gas project was initiated by the Moroccan king and the Nigerian president and a cooperation agreement was signed in May 2017, according to MAP.