President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday departed Abuja for a landmark two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom, accepting an invitation from King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The visit marks the first time a Nigerian President will be formally received by the British monarch at Windsor Castle, decades after Nigeria gained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960.
According to the Presidency, the trip aims to strengthen the longstanding bilateral ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, opening new avenues for collaboration in trade, investment, immigration, and cultural exchange.
The two nations recorded a trade volume of £8.1 billion ($11 billion) as of September 2025.
The itinerary includes a ceremonial welcome along Datchet Road, a carriage procession to Windsor Castle, a 21-gun salute, and a state luncheon at St George’s Hall.
President Tinubu will also participate in private discussions with the monarch and engage in interfaith dialogue sessions.
In London, he is expected to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph, meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street for bilateral talks, and witness the signing of several agreements covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also witness the signing of a £746 million financing agreement to support the refurbishment of the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port.
The Nigerian delegation includes Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and key ministers including Wale Edun, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Mohammed Idris, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and General Christopher Musa (rtd).
Security chiefs such as National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu and NIA Director-General Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed are also part of the delegation.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said the engagement highlights the historic and strategic partnership between the two countries.
He added that it presents opportunities to deepen cooperation in trade, security, climate action, education, and technological innovation.
Idris further noted that President Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy, harmonisation of foreign exchange regimes, and oil and gas sector initiatives, have boosted investor confidence and positioned Nigeria as Africa’s top destination for energy investment.
He said ongoing infrastructure projects, power initiatives, and human capital programmes underscore the administration’s commitment to sustainable development.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Thursday, concluding what is widely regarded as a historic moment in Nigeria-UK relations.
