Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will depart Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, for an official state visit to the United Kingdom alongside the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
The visit comes at the invitation of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
During the visit, the British monarch will host the Nigerian President and his wife at Windsor Castle from March 18 to March 19.
According to the Nigerian Presidency, the trip represents the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years and the first time a Nigerian President will be officially hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
Nigeria and the United Kingdom share longstanding diplomatic and historical ties, and the visit is expected to deepen cooperation between both countries. Discussions will focus on key areas including immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
While at Windsor Castle, the President and the First Lady will also be invited to view a special exhibition from the Royal Collection featuring artefacts connected to Nigeria.
President Tinubu is also scheduled to hold private discussions with King Charles III and meet with organizations involved in interfaith dialogue across the UK and internationally. In honour of the Nigerian delegation, the Royal Family will host a state banquet.
As part of the visit, President Tinubu will hold a bilateral meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at 10 Downing Street.
The meeting is expected to lead to expanded diplomatic and economic cooperation between both countries.
One of the key outcomes of the engagement will be the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural collaboration.
President Tinubu will also witness the signing of a major £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance.
The funding will support the rehabilitation of major maritime infrastructure, including the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
In addition, the President will attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition celebrating Nigerian art and culture and participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
Members of the President’s delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani; Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Mohammed Mohammed.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria after concluding the state visit.
