President meets British PM, May, in London

President Muhammadu Buhari met with British Prime Minister, Theresa May, at Downing Street, London on Monday, April 16, 2018.

The president's meeting with the PM was scheduled to discuss Nigeria-British relations ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings scheduled to hold between April 18 to 20.

According to the president's Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, Buhari thanked May at the end of the meeting for Britain's efforts in the training of the Nigerian Armed forces in fighting terrorist group, Boko Haram.

"We are encouraging more British companies to come to Nigeria. We appreciate the support you have given in training and equipping our military, particularly in the war against insurgency, but we want to also continue to work with you on trade and investment," he said.

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The president also said he's not distracted by the next year's elections, as he's focused on governing Nigeria.

He said, "We campaigned on three major issues, to secure the country, revive the economy and fight corruption. We have elections next year, politicians are already preoccupied with the polls, but I'm bothered more about security and the economy."

Buhari in London

President Buhari left Abuja for the United Kingdom on Monday, April 9, 2018, a full week ahead of the Commonwealth meetings. He left Nigeria just hours after he officially announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2019 presidential election.

With a host of meetings slated for the president before the Commonwealth meetings, he played host to Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, George Oguntade, as well as Secretary General Worldwide of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon were also at the meeting.

The president is expected to also meet the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Plc, Ben van Beurden, in connection with the oil giant's plan to invest $15 billion in Nigeria's oil industry.