Abuja, July 25, IRNA - Nigerian President Muhammad Buhari on Monday praised Iran's key role in the region and the world as well as its technical, technological and economic progresses.


He made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Iranian economy is no longer a single product economy, hence, it can serve as a good model for Nigeria, Nigerian president said.

Buhari referred to his visit to Iran for the latest OPEC summit in Tehran and praised Iran's social and economic developments.

'I witnessed a balanced socio-economic development there,' he said.

Iran has made lots of achievements in technological fields particularly in the field of nuclear energy, he added.

Zarif has arrived in Nigeria on the first leg of a key four-nation tour of West Africa to improve the Islamic Republic's bilateral diplomatic and trade relations with the African nations.

Heading a high-profile politico-economic delegation, Zarif departed Tehran for the Nigerian capital on Sunday evening and arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport early on Monday.

During his stay in Abuja, the top Iranian diplomat is scheduled to meet and exchange viewpoints on various issues of mutual interest with senior Nigerian officials.

Zarif's four-nation tour will then take him to Ghana, Guinea-Conakry and Mali.

By IRNA