Buhari, Obama discuss war against Boko Haram

President Muhammadu Buhari started a four-day visit to the United States of America on July 20, 2015.

The new Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari started a four-day visit to the United States of America (U.S.A) on Monday, July 20, 2015 with priority issues on the agenda being the strengthening of collaboration in fighting the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria and opening a new chapter in U.S-Nigeria relations.

"President Obama looks forward to discussing with President Buhari our many shared priorities including U.S.-Nigeria cooperation to advance a holistic, regional approach to combating Boko Haram," CNN quoted a White House statement. The White House further emphasised the U.S. interest in strengthening "Nigeria's efforts to advance important economic and political reforms that will help unlock its full potential as a regional and global leader."

According to the White House, the visit emphasises the U.S, "commitment to strengthening and expanding our partnership with Nigeria's new government and supporting its people,” BBC said. The desire by the U.S. administration to strengthen the hitherto souring relations with Nigeria was manifested when President Barack Obama extended an invitation to Muhammadu Buhari immediately he was declared winner of the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

During the four days, President Barack Obama and his guest, Muhammadu Buhari along with the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden are likely to discuss proposed political and economic reforms in Nigeria aimed at ending widespread corruption. Buhari is also programmed to have breakfast with Biden and later meet with West African diplomats, World Bank executives, and members of the U.S. Congress.

He is scheduled to hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians today Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Commenting about the visit, Grant Harris, senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council is quoted as telling reporters that, “This feels to us like Nigeria is at an important moment in which there can be real reforms across the board. We're looking forward to what we can do with a president who has staked out an agenda that we think is the right agenda at the right time.”