Not here to negotiate loans (IMF) Lagarde in NIGERIA.

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde, on Tuesday said she did not come to Nigeria to negotiate loans for the country.

She made the clarification in a chat with State House correspondents after holding closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The purpose of the visit, Lagarde said was to review the Nigerian economy and its impact on the neighbouring countries, which is one of the three major functions of the Fund.

The IMF chief said a team of economists are expected in Nigeria next week to address the country economic challenges.

Lagarde, who said she last visited Nigeria four years ago, noted that many things had changed in Nigeria since then in more complicated ways.

According to her, the meeting with the President focused on the challenges caused by the falling crude oil prices in the international market and other issues.