NIGERIA: President Tinubu Departs For Historic State Visit To United Kingdom Tuesday

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will depart Abuja on Tuesday, for a landmark State Visit to the United Kingdom as guests of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The visit, marking the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years and the first hosted by a British monarch at Windsor Castle, will run from Wednesday to Thursday.

King Charles III will personally host the President and First Lady at Windsor Castle, where formal events include viewing a special Royal Collection exhibition featuring items related to Nigeria, private discussions between the King and President, engagements with interfaith dialogue organizations, and a grand State Banquet in honor of the Nigerian delegation.

President Tinubu will also hold high-level bilateral talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, expected to deepen cooperation and result in the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding and agreements on trade, investment, defence, cultural cooperation, and other areas.

A major highlight includes President Tinubu witnessing the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance (UKEF), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The deal will fund the refurbishment and modernization of two key national maritime facilities: the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

The President will serve as guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, showcasing contemporary Nigerian arts and culture, and attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and the diaspora community.

The high-powered delegation includes Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Ministers Dele Alake (Solid Minerals), Mohammed Idris (Information and National Orientation), Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu (State for Foreign Affairs), Wale Edun (Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy), Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade and Investment), Hannatu Musawa (Culture and Creative Economy), Bosun Tijani (Communications and Digital Economy); Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (rtd); National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

The State House described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria-UK ties, rooted in shared history, while advancing collaboration on immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

President Tinubu will return to Nigeria upon conclusion of the engagements. The visit underscores Nigeria’s growing diplomatic stature and commitment to enhanced bilateral r

elations with the UK.