Muhammadu Buhari received an official welcome from
Qatar's Emir on Buhari's latest trip of many to boost
Nigeria's standing abroad.
The Nigerian president is seeking support for his crackdown
on corruption and to encourage much-needed investment in
his country's ailing economy.
Qatar is the current president of Organization of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Nigeria is Africa's
largest oil producer.
The low oil price has a devastating impact on the Nigerian
economy, which has long depended on the export of oil.
"We were unable to diversify our economy, hence we are
much more disadvantaged by the lower oil prices," Buhari
says.
Buhari tells us he values the institution of OPEC and that
"Nigeria will make the necessary sacrifice to remain in
OPEC."
With a chorus of voices, including from the IMF, calling for
the Nigerian government to devalue the naira, Buhari says he
will not reconsider his insistence on freezing the currency.
Buhari says as Nigeria "virtually imports everything, from rice
to toothpicks", it cannot afford to devalue its currency.
"If it is against our national interest, why can't we go
against the IMF advice?" Buhari asks.
Buhari's election campaign rode on pledges to root out
corruption and quash the armed group Boko Haram. Yet,
Boko Haram remains active in many areas of Nigeria,
seemingly able to strike at will.
And many questions are being asked about whether Buhari's
anti-corruption drive is yielding results and if newer forms of
corruption are emerging with a freeze on the naira.
President Buhari talks to Al Jazeera about his campaign
against graft and why he is adamant he hasn't failed in the
fight against Boko Haram.
He also explains why he believes the security of his country
is best served by being part of the Saudi-led Islamic anti-
terrorism coalition announced in December 2015.
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