WASHINGTON (July 22, 2015) -- The recently elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Va.
Buhari, on his first visit to the United States, was accompanied by Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, U.S. Army Military District of Washington commanding general, during a wreath laying ceremony.
Buhari, who assumed office in May, became the first President in Nigeria's history to replace an incumbent via open elections. Buhari was the military ruler of Nigeria in the early 1980's. Nigeria is one of Africa's largest economies. The country has vast oil and mineral reserves but has been troubled by the Boko Haram insurgency in recent years. In January 2014, Nigeria assumed a nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2014-2015 term.
During his visit Buhari met with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House. According White House documents, the two leaders discussed security, economy and anti-corruption policies in addition to the Boko Haram insurgency.
The West African country was originally colonized by the United Kingdom but gained its independence on October 1, 1960. Nigeria is more than twice the size of California. The capital of the country is Abuja.
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