President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Tuesday for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom, responding to an invitation extended by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, according to a statement released on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The visit, which will take place from March 18 to March 19, marks the first state visit by a Nigerian leader in 37 years and represents a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UK, particularly in areas of immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as well as key members of his cabinet, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the diplomatic mission aimed at enhancing cooperation and engagement across multiple sectors.
According to Onanuga, the Nigerian leader and his wife will be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection relating to Nigeria.
“The state visit is the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. President Tinubu is also the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle. Later, the King and the President will hold private discussions and meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally,” Onanuga said, underscoring the symbolic and diplomatic significance of the engagements.
In addition to cultural and interfaith meetings, the visit will feature the signing of a landmark £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance (UKEF), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The deal is intended to support the refurbishment of two of Nigeria’s key maritime infrastructure assets—the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex—an initiative expected to boost trade and economic activities between the two nations.
The state visit will also include a formal banquet hosted by the British 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, which will pave the way for expanded engagement between senior officials from both countries.
“President Tinubu will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, which will lead to expanded bilateral engagement between senior officials of the two countries. The meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation,” Onanuga added.
These agreements are expected to formalise strategic partnerships across multiple sectors, reflecting Nigeria’s commitment to deepening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with the United Kingdom.
Accompanying President Tinubu on the state visit are a number of senior government officials and key members of his cabinet, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu.
Other members of the delegation include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.