March 20, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu returned to Nigeria in the early hours of Friday, March 20, 2026, following a landmark two-day state visit to the United Kingdom that took him from royal engagements at Windsor Castle to high-level talks at 10 Downing Street.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the presidential aircraft landed at about 1:15 a.m. at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
A video shared on X by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, showed the presidential aircraft touching down, with senior officials already on ground to receive the delegation.
On the ground to receive the President were top government officials, including Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as the Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, alongside chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
President Tinubu had departed Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and was hosted at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19 in what officials described as the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years.
He is also the first Nigerian President to be received by a British monarch at Windsor Castle.
During the visit, the President held strategic engagements with the British monarch and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with discussions centred on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, defence, immigration, and cultural exchange.
A major highlight of the visit was a State Banquet hosted in honour of the Nigerian leader, reflecting the deepening diplomatic ties between both nations.
Key agreements were reached across multiple sectors. On migration, both countries agreed on measures to streamline the return of individuals without legal residency in the UK, including the use of designated identification documents to facilitate the process.
Economic discussions focused on expanding trade and investment, particularly in agriculture and energy, alongside a £746 million financing agreement aimed at modernising Nigeria’s port infrastructure, including major facilities in Lagos.
Officials noted that the outcomes of the visit are expected to boost trade flows, strengthen border security cooperation, and unlock new investment opportunities for both countries.
President Tinubu is expected to observe the forthcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Lagos before returning to Abuja to resume official duties at the Presidential Villa.
Government sources described the visit as “resoundingly successful,” emphasising that it has reinforced Nigeria’s global diplomatic standing and laid a solid foundation for a stronger, long-term strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
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