Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari, who is on an extended medical leave in the United Kingdom, "is in a much better condition", says Nigeria's Kano State governor Umar Ganduje.

According to a video message released on Twitter, the president had asked to "rest and recoup" in order for him to return to the west African nation "to continue with his job".

Ganduje said that they were "very very happy to see that he [Buhari] came out personally to shake hands with us" during a Nigerian governors' forum visit.

Buhari left Abuja for London on May 7 for a "follow-up medical consultation" after spending nearly two months in Britain where he was being treated for what he described as one of the "worst illnesses of his life".

His health was being watched closely as a previous president, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, died in office in 2010 after receiving treatment abroad for a longstanding but undisclosed illness.

Yar'Adua's absence triggered months of political turmoil.

Governor Rochas Okorocha told BBC, the former military ruler was expected in Nigeria within the next two weeks.