The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity , Garba Shehu , in a statement on Sunday described the President ’s trip as “ an official visit .”
Shehu said the President would be meeting with some persons, including the British Prime Minister, Theresa May , ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings.
Buhari ’s trip is however coming more than one week ahead of the CHOGM meetings billed for April 18- 20.
The statement read, “ President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja on Monday 9th April, 2018 for an official visit to Britain where he is due to hold discussions on Nigeria - British relations with Prime Minister , Mrs. Theresa May , prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings scheduled for 18th to 20th April, 2018.
“ The President will also meet the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Plc , Mr . Ben van Beurden , in connection with Shell and other partners ’ plan to invest $ 15bn in Nigeria ’ s oil industry.
“ These investment ventures will lay the foundation for the next 20 years’ production and domestic gas supply , bringing with it all the attendant benefits both to the economy and the wider society .
“ President Buhari is due to renew discussions with the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev . and Rt. Hon . Justin Welby , a good friend of the President on inter - religious harmony in Nigeria and worldwide.
“ Further meetings have also been scheduled for the President to see some prominent British and Nigerians residing in Britain.”