President Bola Tinubu will leave Abuja on Tuesday for an official state visit to the United Kingdom following an invitation from King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The planned visit was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the Nigerian leader will travel alongside the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and several members of his cabinet, with the trip aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and the UK, particularly in areas such as immigration, trade, investment and cultural cooperation.
Onanuga disclosed that the British monarch will receive the President and the First Lady at Windsor Castle from March 18 to March 19, where they will be hosted for a special exhibition showcasing items from the Royal Collection connected to Nigeria.
“The state visit is the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. President Tinubu is also the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
“Later, the King and the President will hold private discussions and meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally.
“President Tinubu will witness the signing of the landmark £746 million financing deal between the UK Export Finance (UKEF) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Federal Ministry of Finance to support the refurbishment of two of Nigeria’s major national maritime infrastructure – the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex,” the statement read.
As part of the visit, members of the British royal family are also expected to host a state banquet in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
President Tinubu will further engage in high-level talks with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, during a meeting scheduled to take place at 10 Downing Street in London.
“President Tinubu will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, which will lead to expanded bilateral engagement between senior officials of the two countries.
“The meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation,” the statement added.
Officials said the engagement between both governments is expected to result in the signing of several agreements and memoranda covering strategic sectors such as trade, investment, defence and cultural collaboration.
Members of the President’s delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu.
Others expected to join the trip are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani; Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
