President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, arrived in London for Nigeria’s first state visit to the United Kingdom in nearly four decades.
According to the official schedule, the Tinubus will first meet Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who will accompany them to Windsor. Later, King Charles III will receive President Tinubu at Windsor Castle before hosting a state banquet in his honor.
“Britain and Nigeria share a long-standing partnership in trade, aid, and defense,” President Tinubu said in a statement ahead of the visit. “I look forward to strengthening our strategic cooperation for the benefit of both nations.”
The two countries signed a strategic partnership agreement two years ago to boost economic, immigration, and security collaboration. Trade between the nations reached £8.1 billion ($11 billion) last year, marking an 11.4% increase year-on-year. Key agenda items are expected to include major Nigerian port renovations supported by Britain.
The visit comes amid heightened security concerns in Nigeria following suspected suicide bombings in the northeast that killed at least 23 people. Responding to the attacks, Tinubu directed security chiefs to Maiduguri to “take charge of the situation.”
In London, Tinubu is also scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of the Nigerian diaspora. Notably, the official itinerary does not include a meeting with the British opposition, a traditional component of state visits.
This marks the first Nigerian state visit to the UK since 1989. King Charles III, before ascending the throne, visited Nigeria four times as Prince of Wales, and he previously received Tinubu five years ago.
“Our nations have shared history and a common vision for the future,” King Charles III said in a statement. “It is a pleasure to welcome President Tinubu to Windsor.”
