Tinubu Departs Abuja Tuesday For Historic U.K. State Visit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday for a state visit to the United Kingdom, accepting an invitation from Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, will accompany the president for the official engagements scheduled during the visit, according to a statement released Monday by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

The visit, the first by a Nigerian head of state to the U.K. in 37 years hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle, is expected to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new avenues for collaboration across trade, investment, immigration, and cultural exchange.

During the visit, King Charles III will host President Tinubu and the First Lady at Windsor Castle from Wednesday to Thursday. As part of the programme, the Royal Family will present a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria. The King and President Tinubu will also hold private discussions and meet with organisations promoting interfaith dialogue at national and international levels, culminating in a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian delegation.

President Tinubu is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, aimed at deepening high-level cooperation. The meeting will culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.

A key highlight of the visit will be the witnessing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance and Nigerian authorities. The agreement is intended to support the refurbishment of the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex, reinforcing critical infrastructure for Nigeria’s maritime trade.

The president will also attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, showcasing contemporary Nigerian art and culture, and will participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and members of the diaspora community.

Members of President Tinubu’s official entourage include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Ministers of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Solid Minerals Dele Alake, Information and National Orientation Idris Mohammed; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu; Finance Minister Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole; Culture and Creative Economy Minister Hannatu Musawa; Zamfara State governor Dauda Lawal; Communications and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijani; Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd); National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Amb. Mohammed Mohammed.

The president is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit.