Tinubu departs Abuja for historic UK state visit

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday departed Abuja for a state visit to the United Kingdom, marking the first such visit by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.

 

The aircraft conveying the President and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, took off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 10:00 a.m.

 

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian leader and his wife will be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.

 

The visit is also notable as Tinubu becomes the first Nigerian president to be received at Windsor Castle by a British monarch.

 

“Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a deep history of ties and a special bond. The purpose of this visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for collaboration on immigration, trade, investment and cultural exchange,” the statement said.

 

Activities lined up for the visit include a state banquet hosted by the Royal Family, private meetings between the President and the King, and an exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria.

 

President Tinubu is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, with discussions aimed at expanding cooperation between both countries.

 

The meeting is expected to culminate in the signing of Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.

 

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 for the refurbishment of the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and Tin Can Island Port Complex.

 

Other engagements include participation in the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, as well as meetings with business leaders and members of the Nigerian diaspora in the UK.

 

Members of the President’s delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Ministers Wale Edun, Dele Alake, Jumoke Oduwole, Hannatu Musawa, Bosun Tijani, and Idris Mohammed, among others.

 

Also on the trip are National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.

 

The last Nigerian state visit to the UK was in 1989, when former military president Ibrahim Babangida visited during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

 

President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the visit.