Obama To Host Buhari In Washington On July 20

US President, Barack Obama, will host his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, on July 20, the White House announced on Thursday.

At the meeting both leaders will hold discussions on issues of interest to both nations.

“President Obama will host Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the White House, on July 20,” the White House said.

The visit will mark “our support for the Nigerian people following their historic democratic elections and peaceful transfer of power,” a statement read.

Obama’s administration had faced criticism for not planning to visit Nigeria during a two nation Africa tour, also slated for July.

The AFP reports that the US President and President Buhari will have a packed agenda.

The White House said they would discuss combating Boko Haram militants.

The armies of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon have been fighting a joint campaign against Boko Haram for several months, pushing militants out of captured towns and villages.

But village raids continue apace, often resulting in the deaths of dozens of women and children.

Boko Haram has been fighting to end western education and establish an Islamic state in northeast Nigeria since 2009.

Close to two million persons have been displaced by the activities of the insurgents in the north-east, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees