President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom, marking the first such trip by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
The Nigerian leader, accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, will be received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit aims to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, particularly in areas such as immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
During the visit, the British monarch will host President Tinubu and the First Lady at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria. The King and the Nigerian leader are also expected to hold private discussions and meet with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue.
A State Banquet will be hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
President Tinubu will also meet with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at 10 Downing Street, where both countries are expected to expand bilateral engagements. The meeting is expected to culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also witness the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance for the refurbishment of the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
As part of the itinerary, the Nigerian leader will attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition celebrating modern 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 Godswill Akpabio, Lateef Fagbemi, Dele Alake, Mohammed Idris, Bianca Ojukwu, Wale Edun, Jumoke Oduwole, Hannatu Musawa, Bosun Tijani, Christopher Musa, Nuhu Ribadu, and Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of the visit.