Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said in an interview published today that he was confident Nigeria could defuse tensions between Zimbabwe and Britain over his controversial land reform campaign.
Militants who support the Zimbabwean government's land reform policy have been involved in the violent take-over of white owned land.
Nigeria is due to host talks between Britain and Zimbabwe next month, according to Nigerian Foreign Minister Sule Lamido. Representatives from five other Commonwealth countries are expected to attend.
Mr Mugabe says Britain must pay compensation for the land to be seized by the state. But London has said it will not finance land reform amid violence and disregard for the rule of law.
Nigeria is part of a Commonwealth ministerial group created in June to resolve the land reform crisis along with Britain, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Jamaica, Australia and South Africa.