Tinubu, First Lady begin historic UK state visit tomorrow
… Nigerian leader to be hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, first in 37 years … Visit expected to yield major agreements on trade, defence, investment From Bolaji
... Nigerian leader to be hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, first in 37 years
... Visit expected to yield major agreements on trade, defence, investment
From Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Tuesday depart Abuja for a historic State Visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The President will be accompanied on the trip by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, with the British monarch scheduled to host the Nigerian leader and his wife at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18 to March 19.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit marks the first State Visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years.
It will also make Tinubu the first Nigerian President to be received by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
The Presidency said the visit is aimed at strengthening the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom while opening new avenues for cooperation in key areas including immigration, trade, investment and cultural exchange.
While at Windsor Castle, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host the President and the First Lady to a special exhibition from the Royal Collection featuring items related to Nigeria.
The programme will also include private discussions between the monarch and the Nigerian leader as well as a joint engagement with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue at both national and international levels.
A State Banquet will also be hosted by the Royal Family in honour of President Tinubu and his delegation.
Beyond the royal engagements, the President will hold a bilateral meeting with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at 10 Downing Street, where both countries are expected to deepen cooperation across several sectors.
The meeting will culminate in the signing of a series of Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.
During the visit, President Tinubu will also witness the signing of a landmark £746 million financing agreement between the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
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The financing package is intended to support the refurbishment of two of Nigeria’s key maritime infrastructure facilities — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President will further attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition as the guest of honour, an event designed to showcase modern Nigerian arts and culture.
He will also participate in a reception bringing together Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom.
Members of the President’s delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Others are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd).
Also accompanying the President are the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the State Visit.
