President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will depart Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, for a state visit to the United Kingdom as guests of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
King Charles will host President Tinubu and his wife at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
The visit marks the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years. President Tinubu is also the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a long history of diplomatic relations and cooperation.
The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral relations between both countries and explore opportunities for cooperation in areas such as immigration, trade, investment and cultural exchange.
According to the statement by Onanuga, “While at Windsor Castle, Their Majesties will invite the President and the First Lady to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria. Later, the King and the President will hold private discussions and meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally.
“The Royal Family will host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests in the evening.
“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.
“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 President will be the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, showcasing modern arts and culture, and will also attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and the diaspora community.”
Members of the president’s entourage include the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole.
Others are the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
Onanuga added that President Tinubu will return to Nigeria after the conclusion of the state visit.
