March 16, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for a historic State Visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The President will be accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for a series of official engagements scheduled during the visit.
According to a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, King Charles III will host President Tinubu and the First Lady at Windsor Castle from Wednesday to Thursday as part of the state visit programme.
The visit marks the first time in 37 years that a Nigerian leader will be hosted by a British monarch for a state visit at Windsor Castle, underscoring the significance of the diplomatic engagement between both nations.
Nigeria and the United Kingdom share long-standing diplomatic and historical ties built over decades of political, economic and cultural cooperation.
Officials say the visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations while opening new avenues for collaboration between the two countries.
Key areas of cooperation expected to feature prominently in discussions include immigration, trade, investment and cultural exchange.
During their stay at Windsor Castle, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will invite the President and the First Lady to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection relating to Nigeria’s history and heritage.
President Tinubu is also scheduled to hold private discussions with the British monarch and meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue at both national and international levels.
The Royal Family will later host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
As part of the visit, President Tinubu will also hold bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street. The meeting is expected to deepen engagement between senior officials of both countries and strengthen cooperation across several strategic sectors.
The bilateral talks are expected to culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.
President Tinubu will also witness the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance and Nigerian authorities to support the refurbishment of the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President will further attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition showcasing contemporary Nigerian arts and culture, and participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
Members of the President’s entourage include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Others are Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.
Also on the delegation are the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit.
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