Nigeria will partner Japan on technology – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday said that Nigeria and Japan will partner in the area of manufacturing, science and technology to boost job creation.

Buhari also promised that Nigeria will assist Burkina Faso to achieve fair, free and credible elections in October.

The pledge to work with the Japanese government came during a presentation of letter credence to the president by a new Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sadanobu Kusaoke at the presidential villa in Abuja.



Speaking during the ceremony, president Buhari said his administration would create the enabling environment for economic activities to thrive in Nigeria.

The President told Mr. Kusaoke that his administration will particularly welcome more trade and economic cooperation with Japan in the manufacturing, technology and agricultural sectors.

“I was very impressed with the role your Prime Minister played at our talks with G-7 leaders in Germany. He had a deep understanding of the challenge in the North-East of Nigeria and how it is affecting our economy.

“We look forward to a stronger partnership with your country in many areas, especially in technology, which is now the major driver of job creation across the world today,’’ President Buhari told the new Japanese ambassador who was at the Presidential Villa to present his letters of credence”, he said.

The President also received the letters of credence of the new Ambassador of Ukraine, Dr. Valerii Aleksandruk and the new High Commissioner of Pakistan, Lt.- Gen. Agha Muhammed Umer Farooq who assured President Buhari of a good working relationship between Nigeria and their respective countries.

On a similar note, president Buhari at another meeting with the visiting Burkina Faso’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Rene Bagoro who came to Nigeria as a special envoy of the transitional President of Burkina Faso, Mr. Michel Kafando promised to help the country achieve a credible presidential election in October.

“I am aware that ECOWAS is providing logistics support and some form of electoral assistance to Burkina Faso. Nigeria will provide its own support as soon as possible,’’ President Buhari assured Bagoro, who was in Abuja as a Special Envoy of the transitional President of Burkina Faso, Mr. Michel Kafando”, Buhari said.

Speaking with Journalists at the State House, Bagora emphasized the cordial relationship that existed between those countries, saying he was in the country to solicit Nigeria’s assistance in his country’s forthcoming elections.

President Buhari also received Niger Republic’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Aichatou Kane who delivered a special message from President Mahamadou Issoufou.

The message from the Nigerien leader and President Buhari’s discussion with the Foreign Minister focused on ongoing efforts to strengthen the Multinational Joint Task Force established to combat Boko Haram.