General Obasanjo met Mr Blair on Tuesday, in the latest stage of a world tour intended to rebuild Nigeria's international links.

Mr Blair said the United Kingdom wanted to help Nigeria, but Nigeria must also help itself by introducing reforms that would unlock support from international financial institutions.

On the issue of Sierra Leone, Mr Blair said the UK would continue to support the elected government in Freetown, and urged Nigeria not to withdraw until the country was secure.

Nigerian troops currently form the backbone of support for the elected government in Sierra Leone.

Pledge against corruption

Arriving in London on Monday, the president-elect urged Nigerians living abroad to help rebuild his country's shattered economy.

He also asked for support in combatting corruption, so as to encourage foreign investment.

"I am going to lead by example," he promised.

While General Obasanjo was in London, Nigerian authorities announced they had recovered tens of millions of dollars embezzled by two former ministers and relatives of the late military leader, Sani Abacha.

General Obasanjo pledged to proceed cautiously with the privatisation of state assets, saying he had the backing of the International Monetary Fund on this issue.

Late last week the president-elect returned to Nigeria to meet IMF Managing Director Michel Camdessus, who was visiting the country.

Goodwill mission

General Obasanjo has, in the last two weeks, met French President Jacques Chirac and several African heads of state.

The tour is designed both to encourage foreign investment and to re-establish diplomatic ties.

With the United Kingdom being the the former colonial power in Nigeria, the two countries have close historical ties.

But Nigeria became increasingly isolated from the international community during the reign of military dictator Sani Abacha.

Its membership of the Commonwealth was suspended in 1995 as a result of human rights violations.

General Abacha's death last year cleared the way for political reform, which is due to culminate with the handover to a democratically-elected government in May.