Nigeria's Buhari heads to London for routine medical check-up

Nigeria president Muhammadu Buhari will today travel to the United Kingdom for routine medical checks, the presidency said on Monday evening.

Buhari will meet with security chiefs this morning before emplaning to London where he has in the past gone to receive medical attention.

His official spokesman, Garba Shehu, posted a message on social media relating to the development.

"President Muhammadu Buhari proceeds to London, the United Kingdom, Tuesday March 30, 2021, for a routine medical check-up.

"The President meets with Security Chiefs first in the morning, after which he embarks on the journey.

"He is due back in the country during the second week of April, 2021," the statement concluded.

Since Buhari became president in 2015, he has has travelled several times to the UK for medical care.

It was only on one occasion the presidency disclosed the type of illness, an ear infection.

In 2017, the 78-year-old spent more than three months in London seeking medical care and later in 2018, he went back to London and spent four days - a visit his handlers claimed "was to see his doctor."