I LEARNED THAT QUEEN ELIZABETH II HAS DIED; SHE WAS DEDICATED TO MAKING NIGERIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES BETTER, ACCORDING TO BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep sadness over the death of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

"My family and I, as well as more than 200 million Nigerians, have learned with great sadness of the Queen's death and the end of her extraordinary and wonderful 70-year reign," Mr Buhari said.

The Nigerian president expressed his condolences in a message issued by his media aide Garba Shehu on Thursday.

"Her late Majesty was the only British Sovereign known to 90% of our population," Mr Buhari continued, "and our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom, and the entire Commonwealth as we join the entire world in mourning her loss."

Lord Frederick Lugard, the governor of both the Northern Nigeria Protectorate and the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, ruled the several vast domains amalgamated on January 1, 1914.

"The story of modern Nigeria will never be complete without a chapter on Queen Elizabeth II, a towering global personality and an outstanding leader," Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said. "She dedicated her life to improving her country, the Commonwealth, and the entire world."

Mr Buhari also congratulated King Charles III, the late queen's eldest son, on his enthronement, saying, "Your Majesty's ascension to the throne in accordance with tradition."

He prayed for "continuing robust and sisterly relations between our two nations" during the new king's reign.