President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to undertake a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an official invitation from King Charles III.
The visit was announced through a statement shared on the British royal family’s official X account, confirming that the Nigerian leader will be received by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
Tinubu will be accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the trip as historic, noting that it would mark the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years.
The last such visit occurred in 1989 when former military president Ibrahim Babangida was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.
State visits are widely regarded as instruments of diplomatic engagement, combining ceremonial activities with high-level discussions to reinforce strategic partnerships between countries.
Tinubu and King Charles have interacted on several occasions since assuming office in May 2023.
The Nigerian president met the monarch in Dubai during the COP28 summit in November 2023 and again at Buckingham Palace in September 2024, where both leaders discussed areas of mutual cooperation.
King Charles has longstanding ties with Nigeria, having visited the country multiple times before ascending the throne, and has often expressed admiration for Nigerian culture, including Afrobeats and Pidgin English.
The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, particularly in areas of economic cooperation, youth development, and diplomatic engagement.
