President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday departed Abuja for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom, marking the first such trip by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
The presidential aircraft, an Airbus A330 conveying the President and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 10:00 a.m., according to official reports.
Ahead of the visit, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced that the Nigerian leader and his wife would be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from March 18 to March 19.
The visit is particularly significant as Tinubu becomes the first Nigerian President to be formally received by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
According to the presidency, the trip aims to deepen Nigeria-United Kingdom relations and expand cooperation in key areas such as immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
During the visit, the Royal Family will host a state banquet in honour of the Nigerian President and the First Lady. The engagement will also feature private discussions between Tinubu and King Charles III.
As part of the programme, the monarch will invite the Nigerian delegation to view a special exhibition of artefacts from the Royal Collection relating to Nigeria’s historical connections with Britain.
Both leaders are also expected to meet with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue at both national and international levels.
President Tinubu will additionally hold a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.
The discussions are expected to pave the way for expanded diplomatic and economic cooperation between senior officials of the two countries.
A major highlight of the visit will be the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering areas such as trade, investment, defence cooperation, and cultural relations.
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.
The deal will fund the rehabilitation of two critical maritime facilities – the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
In addition to diplomatic engagements, Tinubu will attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, an event celebrating Nigerian modern art and culture.
He will also participate in a reception bringing together Nigerian and British business leaders alongside members of the Nigerian diaspora in the UK.
The presidential entourage includes Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu.
Other members of the delegation are 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; and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani.
Also accompanying the President are Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
The last Nigerian state visit to the United Kingdom occurred in 1989, when then-President Ibrahim Babangida travelled to Britain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit.
