Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, is holding talks with visiting king, Mohammed (VI) of Morocco, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The king who arrived the country on Thursday night, was received by Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
He arrived the Presidential Villa at about 1.30 pm Friday, and was received by the President and some top government officials.
King Mohammed who is on a working visit to Nigeria, was earlier treated to a grand reception by the presidential guard at the forecourt of the presidential villa.
He was honoured with a 21-gun salute by men of the Brigade of Guards.
The king later inspected a guard of honour mounted by the soldiers, after which he joined the president for Jumat service at the Abuja National Mosque.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, told reporters that the visit is to cement the relationship between the two countries, following their meeting in Marrakesh, Morocco in November.
Political watchers however say that besides the economic aspect of the visit, Morocco seeks to prompt Nigeria to reconsider its stance on the Western Sahara.
They also say the king’s visit will give a fresh impetus in the effort to regain Morocco’s seat in the African Union, following their withdrawal from it in 1984.
King Mohammed and President Buhari, have both reached an agreement to allow pipelines run from Nigeria up to Morocco for gas export to Europe.
Meanwhile, they are expected to hold further bilateral discussions later on.
Also later today, a dinner would be held at the Presidential Banquet Hall, to honour the King.
