President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed Nigeria’s ties with the United Kingdom during a state banquet at Windsor Castle, saying both countries remain linked by history, democratic ideals and a shared commitment to progress.
The event formed part of his state visit to Britain, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
Tinubu, who attended the banquet with First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, said the relationship between both countries should continue to grow on the basis of mutual respect and practical cooperation. He restated Nigeria’s interest in stronger engagement with Britain across trade, investment, security, education and other strategic sectors.
Earlier in the day, the President and First Lady were formally received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle. The programme included full ceremonial honours and a private audience with the King, alongside other engagements marking the visit.
The visit comes as Abuja and London seek to expand bilateral ties in commerce, diplomacy and development. Nigerian officials had said ahead of the trip that discussions would focus on strengthening long-standing relations and advancing agreements expected to support investment and wider economic cooperation.
At the banquet, the tone was both symbolic and strategic. While the ceremony reflected the historic weight of the visit, the broader message from Nigeria was clear: Abuja wants a more modern partnership with Britain, shaped by shared interests and mutual respect.
The visit is also expected to provide fresh momentum for cooperation between both countries as they explore new opportunities in business, governance, education and security.
