WASHINGTON, D.C., April 30, 2018 — U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to the White House on Monday and during a meeting the two world leaders discussed matters of mutual interest to both countries.
President Buhari is the first leader from sub-Saharan Africa to visit the White House since Trump became President. During their meeting, President Trump commented on their “great relationship” and planned talks about trade and security,” especially as it relates to terrorism,” according to published reports.
“We’re going to work on that problem and work on that problem very, very hard, because we can’t allow that to happen,” Mr. Trump said, during a joint press conference the two leaders held following the meeting.
In Nigeria, President Buhari faces multiple security challenges, including the nine-year-old insurgency by Boko Haram jihadists in the north-east, and mounting insecurity in the centre of the country.
According to published reports, the White House recently sold 12 counter-insurgency aircraft worth $496m (£360m) to Nigeria to help in its fight against Boko Haram.
The US previously refused to sell military aircraft to Nigeria, citing human rights concerns.
Mr. Buhari, who is seeking re-election in 2019, became the first opposition leader to become President of Nigeria in 2015.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation with almost 200 million people and is a major crude oil exporter.
