President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in the United Kingdom for a two-day state visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic and security ties between Nigeria and the UK.
The President, accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, landed at London’s Stansted Airport at 3:23 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The development was confirmed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, in a post on X.
Dare described the trip as a “historic” engagement that signals a reset in relations between the two countries and is expected to produce new trade agreements, security cooperation frameworks and other bilateral initiatives.
Following their arrival, the President and the First Lady departed the airport for Windsor Castle, where they are scheduled to be hosted by the British monarch, Charles III.
President Tinubu’s aircraft departed earlier from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday. He was seen off by top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and the President’s Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
The visit marks the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years and the first time a Nigerian president will be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
During the visit, King Charles III will host the Nigerian leader and his wife for a private meeting and invite them to view a special exhibition of artefacts from the Royal Collection relating to Nigeria.
The British Royal Family will also host a state banquet in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
President Tinubu is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at 10 Downing Street. The meeting is expected to lead to expanded cooperation in trade, investment, defence and cultural exchange between the two nations.
A key highlight of the visit will be the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance and the Nigerian Ports Authority, alongside Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance. The funding will support the refurbishment of two major maritime facilities: the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
In addition, the President will attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition showcasing contemporary Nigerian art and participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the visit.
