Nigerian President Buhari Meets Secretary Kerry

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari pose for a photo before their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2016

Readout
Office of the Spokesperson
Department of State
Washington, DC
March 31, 2016

The following is attributable to Spokesperson John Kirby:

Secretary Kerry met today on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit with Federal Republic of Nigeria President Buhari.

The Secretary expressed a firm commitment to continue working closely with Nigeria, highlighting the country’s importance to the region and to the continent. He offered continued U.S. support for efforts to increase security and stability, and to promote development in the areas of northeast Nigeria that have fallen victim to terrorist attacks by Boko Haram.

Secretary Kerry also offered continued U.S. support to locate and help with tracing and investigating looted funds. He noted Nigeria’s potential to enhance its agricultural production and infrastructure, and the potential of these industries to generate more employment opportunities, especially for Nigerian youth. He encouraged President Buhari to take steps to leverage private sector investment in these areas.