President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by 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.
In a statement made available to The News Chronicle, the Presidency said the visit, scheduled from March 18 to 19 at Windsor Castle, is historic, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years and the first ever hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
President Tinubu’s visit aims to strengthen the enduring ties between Nigeria and the UK and explore collaboration in trade, investment, immigration, and cultural exchange.
During the visit, the President and First Lady will view a special exhibition of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria, meet with organisations promoting interfaith dialogue, and attend a State Banquet hosted by the Royal Family.
The President will also hold a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, paving the way for expanded engagement between senior officials of both countries. This will include the signing of Memoranda of Understanding on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
A landmark moment of the visit will be the signing of a £746 million financing deal between UK Export Finance and the Nigerian Ports Authority, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, to support the refurbishment of the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
President Tinubu will also attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, highlighting modern Nigerian arts and culture, and engage with business leaders and the diaspora community in the UK.
Members of the President’s delegation include: Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Ministers Dele Alake, Idris Mohammed, Wale Edun, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Hannatu Musawa, Bosun Tijani, General Christopher Musa (rtd); National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, among others.
