President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday departed  Abuja for Waterloof Air Force Base, Pretoria, to begin a three-day official visit to South Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the president left the Presidential Villa around 1:30 p.m. for Pretoria via the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

President Buhari had earlier presided over the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council before embarking on the trip.

The visit comes against the background of recent xenophobic attacks, the evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians and the exchange of visits by special envoys of Presidents Buhari and Ramaphosa.

While in Pretoria, the Nigerian leader will hold a bilateral meeting with his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to discuss the welfare of Nigerians.

The two African leaders will also find common grounds for building harmonious relations among their respective citizens.

President Buhari will hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the country to share in their experiences.

The president is expected back in Abuja on Friday.

(NAN)