President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has left Nigeria for a state visit to the United Kingdom, responding to an invitation from King Charles III and Queen Camilla. He departed Abuja on Tuesday morning with his wife, Oluremi Tinubu.
The visit, the first by a Nigerian head of state to the U.K. in 37 years hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle, aims to strengthen bilateral relations and explore opportunities in trade, investment, immigration, and cultural exchange.
During the visit, President Tinubu and the First Lady will be hosted at Windsor Castle from Wednesday to Thursday. The Royal Family will present a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria, and private discussions will be held alongside engagements with organisations promoting interfaith dialogue. The visit will conclude with a State Banquet 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, where several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation are expected to be signed.
A major highlight of the trip is a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance and Nigerian authorities to support the refurbishment of the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex, reinforcing Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
The president will also attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, celebrating contemporary Nigerian art and culture, and participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and members of the diaspora.
Key members of the presidential entourage include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Ministers Lateef Fagbemi, Dele Alake, Idris Mohammed, Bianca Ojukwu, Wale Edun, Jumoke Oduwole, Hannatu Musawa, and Bosun Tijani; Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal; Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd); 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.
