President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja on Tuesday for a state visit to the United Kingdom, marking the first such trip by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
The Airbus A330 carrying the President and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, left Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around 10:00 a.m.
According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, released Monday, the Tinubus will be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19. President Tinubu becomes the first Nigerian leader to be received by a British monarch at Windsor Castle.
“Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a long history of ties and a unique bond. This visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and explore collaboration on key areas, including immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange,” the statement read.
The itinerary includes a state banquet hosted by the Royal Family, private discussions between the King and the President, and a viewing of a special exhibition featuring items from the Royal Collection connected to Nigeria.
President Tinubu will also meet with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue and hold a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street. The talks are expected to expand cooperation between senior officials of both nations and culminate in the signing of Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
A highlight of the visit will be the signing of a £746 million financing deal between UK Export Finance and the Nigerian Ports Authority alongside the Federal Ministry of Finance. The funding will support the refurbishment of two major maritime infrastructures: the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President will also be guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, which celebrates modern Nigerian arts and culture, and will attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and the diaspora community.
Members of President Tinubu’s delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Ministers Dele Alake, Idris Mohammed, Bianca Ojukwu, Wale Edun, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Hannatu Musawa, Bosun Tijani; as well as Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Mohammed Mohammed.
The last Nigerian state visit to the UK was in 1989, when President Ibrahim Babangida visited Queen Elizabeth II. President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of this historic visit.
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