The Nigerian economy is gradually reviving, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Thursday.

He raised the hope while receiving the outgoing Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Fahad Bin Abdullah Sefyan, in a farewell audience at State House, Abuja.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) Femi Adesina quoted Buhari as noting that the last farming season was quite good, and the Nigerian economy was gradually reviving.

The statement did not elaborate but dwelt on Buhari’s observation that the relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia is a mutually beneficial one, which should grow stronger in the years to come.

“The President observed that the relationship between the countries was strong, adding that apart from visiting Mecca and Medina for religious reasons, a lot of Nigerians are in Saudi Arabian universities,” Adesina said.

He also quoted Buhari as saying that the two countries would have more areas to collaborate in future.

“I quite appreciate the relationship between the two countries,” the President stressed.

According to the statement, “Ambassador Sefyan, who spent 20 months on tour of duty, said he loved it in Nigeria, and would have wanted to stay for longer, if not that he was now due for retirement.

“He commended President Buhari’s visit to Saudi Arabia in February, last year, urging that there should be reciprocal visits between the leaders of both countries.”

On the security situation in Nigeria, the outgoing Ambassador reportedly told the President: “I think you are doing very well, Your Excellency. We know what you have done with Boko Haram, and we applaud you.”

•Photo shows President Buhari presenting a gift to the outgoing Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Fahad Bin Abdullah Sefyan, on Thursday at State House, Abuja.

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