President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, for a state visit to the United Kingdom, according to the Presidency.
A State House press release said Tinubu will travel with the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as guests of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The royal hosts are expected to receive them at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19.
The Presidency described the trip as the first state visit to the UK by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. It also said Tinubu would be the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by a British monarch at Windsor Castle.
According to the statement, the visit is aimed at deepening relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Areas listed for engagement include immigration, trade, investment and cultural exchange.
While at Windsor Castle, Tinubu and the First Lady are expected to view an exhibition from the Royal Collection on items linked to Nigeria. The programme will also include private talks between the President and the King, as well as a meeting with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue. A state banquet is also scheduled in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
The statement said Tinubu will also meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street. That meeting is expected to open wider talks between senior officials of both countries and lead to the signing of memoranda of understanding and other agreements covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.
Tinubu is also expected to witness the signing of a £746 million financing deal involving UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Federal Ministry of Finance. The funding is intended to support the refurbishment of the Lagos Port Complex, also known as Apapa Quays, and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The visit will also include the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, where the President is billed as guest of honour. He is further scheduled to attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders, as well as members of the diaspora community.
Members of the delegation listed by the Presidency include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole.
Others are Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Mohammed Mohammed.
The Presidency said the President will return to Nigeria at the end of the visit.
