Buhari canvasses stronger ties with Saudi Arabia

President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the need for Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to build on the relationship between the two countries for a long lasting and mutual benefit of their citizens.

Receiving the outgoing Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Fahad Bin Abdullah Sefyan, in a farewell audience at State House, Abuja, on Thursday, President Buhari observed that the relationship between the countries was strong, adding that apart from visiting Mecca and Medina for religious reasons, a lot of Nigerians are in Saudi Arabian universities.

While noting the gradual revival of the Nigerian economy reflected in the last farming season he described as “quite good”, the President gave an indication that the two countries would have more areas to collaborate in future.

“I quite appreciate the relationship between the two countries,” the President stressed.

Ambassador Sefyan, who spent 20 months on tour of duty, said he loved it in Nigeria, and would have wanted to stay for longer, if not that he was now due for retirement.

He commended President Buhari’s visit to Saudi Arabia in February, last year, urging that there should be reciprocal visits between the leaders of both countries.

On the security situation in Nigeria, the outgoing Ambassador told the President:

“I think you are doing very well, Your Excellency. We know what you have done with Boko Haram, and we applaud you.”