Tinubu Set for Historic Two-Day UK State Visit After 37 Years

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will embark on a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom on March 18, marking the first official state visit by a Nigerian president to Britain in 37 years.

Buckingham Palace disclosed the planned visit in a statement released on Saturday, noting that the invitation was extended at the request of King Charles III. The president will be accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

The upcoming trip revives a long-standing diplomatic tradition between both countries. Historical records show that former Nigerian leaders who paid state visits to the UK include Yakubu Gowon in 1973, Shehu Shagari in 1981, and Ibrahim Babangida in 1989.

King Charles, before ascending the throne, visited Nigeria multiple times as Prince of Wales — in 1990, 1999, 2006 and 2018 — underscoring enduring bilateral ties.

Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu has met King Charles on a number of occasions. In November 2023, both leaders met in Dubai ahead of the COP28 climate conference, where Tinubu described the engagement as a major step toward strengthening Nigeria–UK relations.

The monarch also hosted the Nigerian leader at Buckingham Palace in September 2024 for a private audience. According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, discussions at the time centred on shared global and regional priorities, with particular emphasis on climate change challenges.

The royal communications office said further details of the visit’s programme and activities will be released in the coming weeks.