Buhari Jets Out of Nigeria, Heads to Russia for Summit

President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja, Nigeria on Monday, October 21, to attend a three day Russia-Africa summit in Sochi, his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, has said.

The summit, according to the presidential statement, will hold between October 23 and October 25, and would focus on exploring and expanding opportunities in security, trade and investment, science and technology, as well as gas production. 

The statement said Buhari would be accompanied by Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Bello Matawalle of Zamfara and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti.

Also on the trip are the minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, those of trade and investment, Adeniyi Adebayo; mines and steel development, Olamilekan Adegbite and the minister of state for petroleum, Timipre Sylva. 

"During the summit, President Buhari will meet with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to further strengthen relations in security, trade and investment, and building partnership that will enhance Nigeria’s huge gas potential, following Russia’s remarkable success in gas exportation," the statement said. 

The summit will be attended by African heads of state and is aimed to bring fresh perspectives on some global issues and challenges including those of nuclear technology, energy development, digital transformation, environment, technical security, mining and steel, education, agriculture, infrastructure and development strategies. 

Also to be held during the event is an African business forum aimed at bringing together African and Russian business leaders.

The business forum is further aimed at enhancing Russian investments in Africa and promoting African business interest in the host country.

It was earlier reported that few weeks ago, President Buhari travelled to Yokohama in Japan where he attended the seventh Tokyo international conference on African development.

President Buhari departed Abuja on Sunday, August 25, for Japan to participate in the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) that would be held in Yokohama from August 28 to August 30.