Buhari takes office as President of Nigeria

Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as Nigeria's new president on Friday, having ousted Goodluck Jonathan in the country's elections back in March.

“Nigerians have shown their commitment to democracy,” Buhari said before the crowds at the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja, the country's capital.

"I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody," he added.

He also made the announcement through his Twitter account.

Buhari, former military ruler, became the first opposition leader to win presidential elections in the country since its independence in 1960 in fair election outcome. Nigeria is Africa’s biggest economy and largest oil producer.

Read more: US and UK warn of political interference in Nigeria's election

Buhari admitted that the Nigerian economy was "in deep trouble", and added he was assuming the position amid "insecurity, pervasive corruption... and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages."

Nigerians would expect him to fullfil his promises during the electoral campaign of meeting the energy needs of the population, creating jobs and tackling corruption.

He vowed an intense campaign against Boko Haram, the country's militant Islamist group that has seized areas of the country, and kidnapped back in April 2014 nearly 300 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok.

"Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group, who are as far away from Islam as one can think," said Buhari.

US Secretary of State John Kerry attended Buhari's inauguration, as the Obama administration said it was prepared to expand military cooperation in order to tackle down the group.

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