President Donald Trump has been very busy hosting visiting presidents. First, to visit last week was French President Emmanuel Macron followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Now the US leader will be hosting the First African leader in the person of Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.
The bilateral meeting is expected to be dominated by security and economic issues. Buhari was one of the first two African leaders Trump called after he took power, along with South Africa’s president.
Nigeria is a close ally of the United States. The country is battling Boko Haram insurgency and other security issues in which the assistance of the US will greatly come handy. Trump administration has made a $600 million deal to supply military planes and security equipment, one that was stalled under the Obama administration over allegations of human rights abuses by Nigeria’s military. Buhari will seek the US further assistance.
Buhari and Trump also will “discuss ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries and to advance shared priorities, such as promoting economic growth,” according to the presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, said in a statement.
Nigeria has signed an agreement with four US companies led by General Electric to invest an estimated $2 billion to modernize key railways between Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, and the northern city of Kano and between Port Harcourt in the oil-rich Niger Delta and the northern city of Maiduguri — the birthplace of Boko Haram. This was done by officials who preceded the president.
Nigeria will also discuss with U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing for a deal for the new state-owned airline project and explore financing arrangements with the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
“The relationship of the United States with Nigeria is deep and strong, and Nigeria’s economic growth, security, and leadership in Africa will advance our mutual prosperity,” the White House said.
