Pomp, splendour mark hosting of Tinubu, wife by King Charles
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu were received with pomp, circumstance and splendour by British monarch King Charles III and Queen Camilla. It was the first day
- State visit puts Nigeria in global focus
- Tinubu seeks British support to end insecurity
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu were received with pomp, circumstance and splendour by British monarch King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
It was the first day of the President’s state visit – the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years – to Britain.
Military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida was the last Nigerian leader to be hosted on a state visit in 1989.
Second Republic President Shehu Shagari (1981) and military head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, were other leaders on state visits to the United Kingdom.
All three were hosted by King Charles’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
President Tinubu, leader of Africa’s most populous country, was greeted by senior royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales.
There was no traditional lunch with the King at Windsor as the President is fasting for Ramadan.
In warm spring sunshine, the President and first lady – wearing traditional robes – were given the ceremonial grandeur of a royal welcome, according to a BBC report.
There was a carriage procession, bringing the Nigerian visitors into the quadrangle inside Windsor Castle, where a military band, with careful symmetry, paraded on the checkerboard lawn.
There was a gun salute, national anthems were played, guards were inspected, and the Household Cavalry kicked up dust as they paraded inside the castle, in front of a viewing stand for the King and Queen and their visitors.
President Tinubu and his wife had been met earlier by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, before being escorted to formally meet the King and Queen.
When the royal hosts and their visitors went inside the castle, they viewed Nigerian items from the Royal Collection.
These include a Yoruba throne, sculptures, paintings and the manuscript of a poem by Sir Ben Okri.
Official gifts were exchanged: the special guests were given hand-crafted pottery, a silver photo frame containing a picture of the King and Queen and a silver and enamel bowl.
In return, the King and Queen were given a traditional Yoruba statuette and a jewellery box featuring the faces of important Nigerian women.
Speaking at a state banquet held in his honour at Windsor Castle by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the President said Nigeria, as a regional power, bears a heavy responsibility in stabilising the Sahel, stressing that cooperation with the UK remains critical to achieving lasting peace.
“Our West African region faces complex terrorism challenges with roots in the Sahel. Nigeria carries an enormous responsibility to help safeguard regional stability,” President Tinubu said.
He added that he looked forward to further engagements with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to strengthen security and economic cooperation.
The high-profile banquet, attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, including Prince William, the Prince of Wales, and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, underscored the renewed diplomatic warmth between Abuja and London.
President Tinubu, who described the occasion as historic, noted that he was honoured to be the first Nigerian leader to address a gathering at Windsor Castle, a site he said symbolises continuity in governance and the evolution of democratic institutions over centuries.
Reflecting on the deep historical ties between both nations, the President said Nigeria and the United Kingdom share not only a common past but also a shared vision of progress, resilience, and democratic governance.
He traced the roots of modern democracy to Britain, citing the Magna Carta of 1215 as a foundational document that advanced the rule of law and accountable governance, ideals that have influenced constitutional systems worldwide.
According to him, the works of great British thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Edmund Burke have continued to shape political thought, while literary icons like William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens have enriched the English language, now spoken by over 1.5 billion people globally.
“These enduring ideals have influenced the institutional foundations of our own republic,” President Tinubu said.
He noted that Nigeria’s legal system, parliamentary practices, and civil service structures draw significantly from British traditions, adapted to suit local realities.
The President, however, emphasised that beyond institutional linkages, it is the people-to-people connection that remains the strongest bridge between both countries.
He lauded the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom, describing it as one of the most dynamic in the world, with significant contributions to healthcare, business, and public life.
“In the National Health Service, Nigerian doctors and nurses play an indispensable role,” he said, noting that Nigerian-trained medical professionals rank among the largest groups of international workers sustaining the UK’s healthcare system.
President Tinubu also highlighted the cultural and sporting ties binding both nations, pointing to global stars of Nigerian heritage such as rugby player Maro Itoje, footballers Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, as well as heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, as symbols of shared identity and excellence.
He referenced the Commonwealth of Nations as another enduring platform connecting Nigeria and the United Kingdom, noting that Nigeria, as one of its largest members, remains committed to contributing meaningfully to its continued relevance and growth.
Despite the security challenges facing the region, the President said Nigeria remains optimistic about its future, describing the country as one driven by youthful energy, entrepreneurial spirit, and a collective determination to realise its vast potential.
“We are a nation of diverse and vibrant people, of young people dreaming big, of entrepreneurs with a global outlook, and of a hopeful people determined to realise their full potential,” he said.
In a deeply personal reflection, President Tinubu recounted the role the United Kingdom played during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, revealing that he, like many activists, found refuge in Britain during the years of military dictatorship.
He recalled that his residence in the UK was placed under Metropolitan Police protection following threats from agents of the military regime, describing the support as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“That solidarity remains etched in our collective memory, and it is deeply humbling for me to stand before Your Majesty today as the President of a democratic Nigeria,” he said.
The President expressed profound gratitude to King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and the Princess of Wales for the honour and hospitality extended to him, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Nigerian delegation.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the United Kingdom, anchored on mutual respect, shared values, and a common destiny.
President Tinubu toasted to the enduring friendship between both nations, expressing confidence that the partnership would continue to grow stronger in the years ahead, particularly in addressing shared challenges and unlocking new opportunities for prosperity.
“God bless His Majesty The King. God bless Nigeria. God bless the United Kingdom,” the President said, drawing applause from the distinguished audience at the historic Windsor Castle banquet.
