Buhari to meet with Shell chief executive in London following meeting with Tinubu

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari plans to meet with Ben van Beurden the chief executive of Shell in London this week to discuss proposals by the conglomerate to invest $15bn in Nigeria’s oil industry.

Currently in London ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit, President Buhari has taken an extended leave, believed to be for health reasons. It is not yet known when he will return to Nigeria and presidential aides have said that the president will use the trip to meet with British officials and investors interested in the Nigerian economy.

Yesterday, President Buhari held a closed door meeting with the leader of his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in London. Although details of the meeting were not revealed, it is believed they discussed the president's decision to stand in next year's presidential elections.

Presidential spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu, said: "The president will also meet the chief executive officer of Royal Dutch Shell 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.”

Last Wednesday, President Buhari met with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rt Reverend Justin Welby where he explained why he declared his intention to run for another term in office. He also explained what his government is doing to try and address the ongoing concerns regarding Fulani cattle herdsmen who are killing hundreds across the country in murderous raids.

Also, while in Britain, the president is billed to hold discussions on Nigeria-British relations with Prime Minister Theresa May, prior to the Commonwealth summit scheduled for April 18 to 20. According to Mallam Shehu, while in the UK, President Buhari will also see some prominent British and Nigerians residing in Britain.