President Muhammadu Buhari has departed Abuja for Madrid, Spain on a state visit at the invitation of the Spanish President, Pedro Sanchez alongside Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Youth and Sport Development, Sunday Dare and the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora.

The National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno, Director General National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, are also in the President’s delegation.

The Presidential spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, confirmed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.  According to Adesina, at a separate meeting during the visit, the first by the Nigerian leader, Buhari will also meet with the Head of State of the Spanish nation, His Majesty King Felipe VI.

“During his engagement with both leaders, the Nigerian President will discuss issues of mutual interest to both countries, which will expectedly result in the signing of Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding on a wide range of topics geared towards further enhancing the bilateral relations between the two nations.               “Such areas include: Extradition and transfer of convicted persons, Mutual Legal Assistance, Cultural Matters, Cooperation towards fighting crime and enhancing security, as well as issues affecting dependants of diplomatic staff.                   “Also on the agenda are Cooperation on Energy Trade and Investment, Transportation, Public Health and Sports Development.”

The Presidential aide revealed that the president would also be the Special Guest at an Investment Forum jointly organised by the Spanish Chambers of Commerce, the Ministry of Trade, and the Confederation of Employers (CEOE).                           The Nigerian leaders will be speaking to the gathering of top members of the Spanish business community and their Nigerian counterparts on the investment opportunities in Nigeria and ways of expanding the volume of trade as well as further collaborating for the development of the economics of both countries.

Adesina said Buhari would be back in Nigeria by 3 June.