On Tuesday, March 17, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja for a State Visit to the United Kingdom as the guest of “Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.”
Accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the President’s itinerary was detailed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
From Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19, King Charles will host the Nigerian leader and his wife at Windsor Castle.
This event is particularly historic as it represents the first State Visit by a Nigerian leader in 37 years and marks the first time a Nigerian head of state has been hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
According to the official statement, Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a “deep history of ties and a special bond,” with the visit intended to strengthen bilateral relations and investigate new opportunities for partnership in trade, investment, immigration, and cultural exchange.
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While staying at the castle, Their Majesties will invite the President and First Lady to “view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria.”
Additionally, the King and President will participate in private discussions and meet with organizations involved in national and international interfaith dialogue.
A formal State Banquet will be held by the Royal Family in honor of the Nigerian guests that evening.
The diplomatic agenda also includes a meeting at 10 Downing Street between President Tinubu and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
This session is expected to broaden engagement between senior officials of both nations.
As noted by Onanuga, “The meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.”
A significant economic highlight of the trip involves the President witnessing the signing of a £746 million financing deal.
This landmark agreement between UK Export Finance (UKEF), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Federal Ministry of Finance is designed to support the refurbishment of the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
Furthermore, the President will serve as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition and attend a reception with the diaspora community and British and Nigerian business leaders.
The President’s high-level entourage includes Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu. Other key officials joining the visit are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (rtd); National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu will return to Nigeria once the State Visit concludes.
