Tinubu, Akpabio, 9 Ministers head to UK for state visit

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to embark on an official state visit to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, March 17, marking another significant step in strengthening diplomatic ties between both nations.

The visit comes at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, underscoring the importance of the relationship between Nigeria and the UK. Accompanying the President on this high-profile trip is the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

Details of the visit were made public through an official statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

According to the statement, King Charles III will host President Tinubu and the First Lady at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19.

The visit marks the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years. It will also be the first time a Nigerian president is being hosted by a British monarch at Windsor Castle.

The statement noted that Nigeria and the United Kingdom share long-standing historical ties and that the visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and exploring further cooperation in areas such as immigration, trade, investment and cultural exchange.

During the visit, the royal hosts will invite President Tinubu and his wife to view a special exhibition from the Royal Collection featuring items related to Nigeria.

The King and the Nigerian President are also expected to 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 a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street. The meeting is expected to deepen diplomatic and economic engagement between both countries.

The discussions are expected to lead to the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering areas such as trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.

As part of the visit, President Tinubu will witness the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Federal Ministry of Finance. The deal is expected to support the refurbishment of two major maritime facilities — the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

The President will also attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which highlights modern Nigerian arts and culture, and participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the Nigerian diaspora.

Members of the presidential 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, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole.

Other members of the delegation are Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd); National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the visit.