President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for a historic State Visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will be accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
During the visit, King Charles will host the Nigerian leader and his wife at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.
The presidency described the trip as the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years and the first time a Nigerian president will be hosted by a British monarch at Windsor Castle.
The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, particularly in the areas of immigration, trade, investment and cultural exchange.
While at Windsor Castle, the Nigerian delegation will view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection connected to Nigeria. King Charles and President Tinubu are also expected to hold private discussions and meet organisations involved in interfaith dialogue.
A State Banquet will be hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian guests.
President Tinubu will also hold talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.
The meeting is expected to expand bilateral cooperation and culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.
During the visit, the President will also witness the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Federal Ministry of Finance for the refurbishment of two key maritime facilities — the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
Tinubu will also attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition highlighting contemporary arts and culture, and participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora.
Members of the President’s delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio and several ministers, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani, and Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa.
Also on the delegation are National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of the visit.
