BUHARI BILLED TO ATTEND THE G7 SUMMIT

Muhammadu Buhari is to attend this weekend's G7 summit in Germany in his first major international meeting as Nigerian president, his spokesman told AFP on Tuesday.

"The President has accepted the invitation to attend the G7 summit. He's expected to depart Nigeria on Sunday for the summit. It's going to be a two-day trip," said Shehu Garba.

Buhari, 72, became president of Africa's most populous nation, top economy and leading oil producer last Friday, taking over from Goodluck Jonathan whom he beat in elections in March.

His office said on Saturday that Britain's foreign minister Philip Hammond told Buhari at a meeting in Abuja on Friday that Prime Minister David Cameron urged him to come to the summit with a "wish list".

Nigeria is facing a long list of challenges, not least the fight against Boko Haram Islamists, a crippling power deficit, infrastructure problems, corruption and poor governance.
Buhari met Cameron for private talks in London the week before his inauguration, where the British leader pledged help in a number of areas such as fighting extremism and African migration.
Cameron also sought Buhari's backing for "free trade" between the European Union and Africa, a suggestion which had the support of a number of countries, the president's office said in a statement.