March 17, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu have arrived in the United Kingdom to commence a historic state visit aimed at deepening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between both countries.
The presidential aircraft conveying the Nigerian leader and his wife departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Tuesday and landed at Stansted Airport at approximately 4:30 p.m.
The visit, described as the first of its kind by a Nigerian leader in 37 years, will see Tinubu hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19.
During their stay, the Nigerian President and the First Lady are expected to participate in a series of high-level engagements, including a special exhibition of Nigeria-related artefacts from the Royal Collection. The visit will also feature private discussions between the monarch and Tinubu, alongside meetings with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue.
A State Banquet will be hosted in honour of the Nigerian delegation by the British Royal Family.
Tinubu is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at 10 Downing Street. The meeting is expected to broaden cooperation across key sectors, including trade, investment, defence, immigration, and cultural exchange.
The engagements are projected to culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), notably a £746 million financing agreement involving UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance. The deal is targeted at refurbishing critical infrastructure at the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
In addition, Tinubu will attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, highlighting contemporary Nigerian arts and culture, and participate in a reception with British and Nigerian business leaders, as well as members of the diaspora community.
The President is accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, among others.
Other members of the entourage include senior cabinet officials and security chiefs, reflecting the strategic importance Nigeria attaches to the visit.
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