Tinubu Begins Historic State Visit to UK, First by Nigerian Leader in 37 Years

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The President will be accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for the visit scheduled from March 18 to March 19 at Windsor Castle.

According to a State House statement on Monday, the trip marks the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years and also makes Tinubu the first Nigerian President to be hosted by a British monarch at Windsor Castle.

The visit is aimed at strengthening longstanding ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom while exploring deeper cooperation in areas such as immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu and the First Lady at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition from the Royal Collection highlighting historical items connected to Nigeria. The President is also expected to hold private discussions with the monarch and participate in meetings with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue.

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

President Tinubu is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street. The meeting will pave the way for expanded engagement between officials of both countries and will culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.

One of the key highlights of the visit will be the signing of a landmark £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance. The deal will support the refurbishment of two major maritime facilities — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

The President will also attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition celebrating contemporary Nigerian arts and culture, and meet with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora.

Members of the presidential delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake; Minister of Information Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance Wale Edun; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole.

Others in the entourage are 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.

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