US President Barack Obama spoke to President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday, praising him for his role in the country’s first democratic transfer of power.
President Obama also called President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari in a separate phone call.
The U.S. president spoke to the men separately to “commend them for their leadership during Nigeria’s election,” the White House said.
Obama’s administration has lavished praise on President Jonathan and General Buhari following an election in Africa’s most populous country and its largest economy.
Buhari’s victory and Jonathan’s quick concession has helped write a new chapter in the country’s often turbulent history.
Nigeria has suffered six military coups since independence from Britain in 1960 and has seen 16 years of unbroken civilian rule under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“This historic step for Nigeria and Africa,” said Obama’s National Security Advisor Susan Rice.
