The World Bank has pledged $2.1bn
(£1.4bn; €1.9bn) to help rebuild
north-eastern parts of Nigeria,
wracked by years of Boko Haram
militancy, Nigerian President
Muhammadu Buhari says.
Mr Buhari was speaking in Washington
after talks with World Bank officials.
He said priority must be given to
rebuilding infrastructure and helping
those displaced by the conflict.
Mr Buhari has pledged to defeat Boko
Haram insurgents who have killed
thousands in Nigeria since 2009.
More than a million people have also been
displaced by the insurgency.
On Monday, US President Barack Obama
pledged his support for Mr Buhari in the
campaign against Boko Haram. The US
has committed $5 million (£3.2m; €4.6m)
to the fight against the insurgents since
the Nigerian leader was elected earlier
this year.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mr
Buhari urged the World Bank to send a
team to Nigeria to assess how to spend
the funds.
The money is expected be given in the
form of a loan which will be interest-free
for the first 10 years.
BBC Africa editor Richard Hamilton says
extreme poverty and neglect in north-
eastern Nigeria is thought to have fuelled
the rise of Islamic extremism and given
Boko Haram broader appeal.
Mr Buhari also met representatives of the
World Health Organization and the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation to discuss
measures to tackle malaria and polio.
Boko Haram at a glance
Founded in 2002, initially focused on
opposing Western-style education -
Boko Haram means "Western
education is forbidden" in the Hausa
language
Launched military operations in 2009
Joined Islamic State, now calls itself
"West African province"
Thousands killed, mostly in north-
eastern Nigeria, abducted hundreds,
including at least 200 schoolgirls
Seized large area in north-east, where
it declared caliphate
Regional force has retaken most
territory this year
(£1.4bn; €1.9bn) to help rebuild
north-eastern parts of Nigeria,
wracked by years of Boko Haram
militancy, Nigerian President
Muhammadu Buhari says.
Mr Buhari was speaking in Washington
after talks with World Bank officials.
He said priority must be given to
rebuilding infrastructure and helping
those displaced by the conflict.
Mr Buhari has pledged to defeat Boko
Haram insurgents who have killed
thousands in Nigeria since 2009.
More than a million people have also been
displaced by the insurgency.
On Monday, US President Barack Obama
pledged his support for Mr Buhari in the
campaign against Boko Haram. The US
has committed $5 million (£3.2m; €4.6m)
to the fight against the insurgents since
the Nigerian leader was elected earlier
this year.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mr
Buhari urged the World Bank to send a
team to Nigeria to assess how to spend
the funds.
The money is expected be given in the
form of a loan which will be interest-free
for the first 10 years.
BBC Africa editor Richard Hamilton says
extreme poverty and neglect in north-
eastern Nigeria is thought to have fuelled
the rise of Islamic extremism and given
Boko Haram broader appeal.
Mr Buhari also met representatives of the
World Health Organization and the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation to discuss
measures to tackle malaria and polio.
Boko Haram at a glance
Founded in 2002, initially focused on
opposing Western-style education -
Boko Haram means "Western
education is forbidden" in the Hausa
language
Launched military operations in 2009
Joined Islamic State, now calls itself
"West African province"
Thousands killed, mostly in north-
eastern Nigeria, abducted hundreds,
including at least 200 schoolgirls
Seized large area in north-east, where
it declared caliphate
Regional force has retaken most
territory this year
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