The meeting comes weeks after Rex Tillerson, then US secretary of state, visited Nigeria and other African countries in March, only to be fired after his return to Washington.

Tillerson's trip was part of attempts to smooth relations after Trump reportedly dismissed some African nations as "shithole countries" in January. Trump later denied making the comment.

"President Trump looks forward to discussing ways to enhance our strategic partnership and advance our shared priorities," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

The priorities include "promoting economic growth and reforms, fighting terrorism and other threats to peace and security, and building on Nigeria's role as a democratic leader in the region", she said.

Buhari, a 75-year-old former military ruler who took office in 2015, last week announced that he will seek a second term in elections next year.

He flew to Britain for talks with Prime Minister Theresa May shortly after the announcement.

Nigeria is facing ongoing attacks from the terrorist group Boko Haram, which have left at least 20,000 people dead since 2009. About 2.5 million people have fled north-eastern Nigeria and surrounding areas as a result of the violence.

The country on Saturday marked the fourth anniversary of the kidnapping of 276 girls by the group from a school in the town of Chibok. More than 100 are still missing.

Australian Associated Press