Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. He commended President Buhari's efforts to address corruption, tackle insecurity and promote economic development in the country. The Secretary-General expressed the United Nations' continuing support to these efforts.

The Secretary-General and the President also discussed the serious security, human rights and humanitarian consequences of Boko Haram's activities in Northeast Nigeria and in the Lake Chad Basin countries. The Secretary-General noted the success of recent military efforts to combat Boko Haram, while highlighting the need to address the root causes of the conflict. Reiterating the United Nations' support to Nigeria and the countries of the Lake Chad Basin in the prevention of violent extremism, the Secretary-General encouraged the Government to support his newly unveiled Plan of Action and join the global partnership to confront this issue. He stressed the need for military operations to be conducted in full accordance with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law. The Secretary-General also discussed the devastating effect of climate change on Lake Chad, which has shrunk considerably in just three decades, and urged Nigeria to implement the Paris agreement. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 18 January 2016