President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with the United States Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, in his office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting started some few minutes after 4 p.m. on Monday, 12, 2018 after President Buhari returned from an official visit to Benue State.
After the meeting, Mr. Tillerson will hold a press conference with his Nigerian counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama.
The U.S. Secretary of State is expected to depart the country after the press conference. It is reported that the American diplomat cut short his trip to Nigeria.
A press advisory from the U.S. Embassy had said Tillerson would hold talks with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.
“When he arrives, Tillerson will become the highest ranking official in the Trump Administration to visit Nigeria,” the statement from the US Embassy had said.
“The secretary is expected to hold a press conference at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday by 11.45 a.m.
“Tillerson is expected to be joined in the press availability by Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs” the embassy stated.
Tillerson has been on a week-long tour of Africa. He reportedly fell ill in Kenya.
He has visited the Horn of Africa just days after he announced a new 533 million dollars aid package for Africa out of which 128 million dollars was earmarked for Nigeria and countries of the Lake Chad region.
When Tillerson meets Buhari, both men are expected to discuss counter terrorism efforts and humanitarian issues in Nigeria’s Northeast and the Lake Chad basin.
He is also expected to discuss how to advance peace and security, promote good governance, and spur mutually beneficial trade and investment with the president
During his trip, he is expected also to meet with U.S. Embassy personnel and participate in events related to U.S. government-supported activities.
