Tinubu UK State visit begins as Nigeria’s president heads to Britain for talks with King Charles III and PM Keir Starmer on trade and cooperation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom, marking the first visit of its kind by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.

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The announcement was made on Monday in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the Nigerian leader would be accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

According to the statement, President Tinubu and the First Lady will be received as guests of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, with the British monarch hosting the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle from March 18 to March 19.

Onanuga described the trip as a significant diplomatic milestone, noting that it will also make Tinubu the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.

The visit aims to deepen long-standing diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with discussions expected to focus on immigration, trade, investment and cultural exchange.

During the stay at Windsor Castle, the Nigerian leader and the First Lady will view a special exhibition from the Royal Collection featuring items connected to Nigeria.

King Charles III and President Tinubu will also hold private discussions and meet with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue at both national and international levels.

A state banquet will be hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian delegation.

President Tinubu is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, where both leaders are expected to explore avenues for expanding cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting is expected to culminate in the signing of several memoranda of understanding covering trade, investment, defence and cultural collaboration.

Onanuga said the President would also witness the signing of a £746 million financing agreement involving UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance. The funding will support the refurbishment of two major maritime facilities: the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

Beyond diplomatic engagements, the President will attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition as guest of honour, an event designed to showcase Nigeria’s modern art and cultural heritage.

He is also expected to participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom.

Members of the presidential delegation include Godswill Akpabio, Lateef Fagbemi, Dele Alake, Mohammed Idris, Bianca Ojukwu, Wale Edun, Jumoke Oduwole, Hannatu Musawa, Bosun Tijani, Christopher Musa, Nuhu Ribadu, and Mohammed Mohammed.

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Onanuga added that President Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the visit.