The much awaited telephone conversation between President Muhammadu Buhari and US President Donald Trump has taken place, with Buhari now in London, congratulating Trump on his ascendancy as US President.
Trump in return invited Buhari to visit Washington at his earliest convenience.
It was the first time that the two leaders would discuss and the telephone conversation was at Trump’s request, according to presidential adviser, Femi Adesina.
The discussion took place Monday afternoon.
The conversation was cordial and President Buhari congratulated Trump on his election as President of the United States, and the constitution of his cabinet.
The two leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment.
President Trump encouraged President Buhari to keep up the good work he is doing, and also commended him for the efforts made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military.
United States President assured the Nigerian President of US readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism.
Nigeria has been fighting since 2009 against an insurgency by Boko Haram militants trying to set up an Islamic state in the remote northeast. The unrest has killed thousands and displaced more than two million people.
Abuja has been trying to persuade the U.S. to sell it military aircraft, a request being reviewed by Congress.
“President Trump assured the Nigerian president of U.S. readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism,” the presidency said in a statement.
It gave no other details of the call, their first since Trump’s inauguration.
President Trump invited President Buhari to Washington at a mutually convenient date.
According to Voice of America, President trump also spoke with South African leader, Jacob Zuma.
