Washington, DC - Secretary Tillerson met with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on March 12 in Abuja to strengthen the U.S. partnership with Nigeria. He recognized Nigeria's leadership in the Lake Chad Basin Multinational Joint Task Force which seeks to defeat Boko Haram and the ISIS affiliate in West Africa.

The Secretary expressed concern about the recent attacks and abductions and agreed to expand counterterrorism cooperation to diminish the threats to U.S. and Nigerian interests. They reviewed plans for presidential elections in 2019, and considered opportunities to promote Nigeria's economic recovery, enhance trade, and increase investment. The Secretary encouraged political and economic reforms. He also urged full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions related to the DPRK.