President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for a state visit to the United Kingdom after receiving an invitation from King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The planned trip was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the Nigerian leader will travel alongside the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as well as a number of cabinet members. The visit is expected to strengthen ties between Nigeria and the UK, particularly in areas such as immigration, commerce, investment and cultural cooperation.
Onanuga said the British monarch will host Tinubu and his wife at Windsor Castle from March 18 to March 19, where they will attend a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection that have links 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.
“President Tinubu will witness the signing of the landmark £746 million financing deal between the UK Export Finance (UKEF) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Federal Ministry of Finance to support the refurbishment of two of Nigeria’s major national maritime infrastructure , the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex,” the statement read.
During the visit, Tinubu is also scheduled to meet with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at 10 Downing Street. The meeting is expected to promote stronger bilateral engagement between 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,” the statement added.
A state banquet is also expected to be organised by the British Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian delegation during the visit.
Members of the President’s delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; 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.
Others are 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; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
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