PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to embark on a landmark two-day state visit to the United Kingdom beginning March 18, Buckingham Palace has confirmed, marking the first such visit by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
News Point Nigeria reports that the visit, which comes at the invitation of King Charles III, is being widely described as a significant diplomatic milestone in Nigeria–UK relations and a major exercise in soft-power diplomacy.
In a statement released late on Saturday, the Royal Household announced that President Tinubu will be accompanied by his wife, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
According to the Palace, further details of the visit’s programme and official engagements will be announced in due course.
The forthcoming trip will be the first official state visit to the UK by a Nigerian president since 1989, when then military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II for a four-day visit.
Prior to Babangida’s trip, Nigerian leaders who undertook state visits to the UK include General Yakubu Gowon in 1973 and President Shehu Shagari in 1981.
State visits, as described by the BBC, represent a powerful form of diplomacy, employing the pageantry and prestige of royal hospitality to deepen relations with strategically important international partners.
Although this will be Tinubu’s first state visit to Britain as president, it will not be his first interaction with King Charles.
Both leaders assumed office in May 2023 and have since met on multiple occasions.
In November 2023, President Tinubu met the British monarch on the sidelines of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tinubu later described the engagement as a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Again, in September 2024, King Charles received President Tinubu at Buckingham Palace for a private audience.
According to Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, discussions during the meeting focused on global and regional issues of mutual concern, with particular emphasis on the complex and urgent challenge of climate change.
While the specific agenda for the March visit has not yet been made public, diplomatic watchers expect talks to centre on trade, security cooperation, climate action, migration, education, and youth development.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that details of the ceremonial events, state banquet, and bilateral meetings will be released closer to the visit.
King Charles has long maintained close personal and institutional ties with Nigeria.
Before ascending the throne, he visited Nigeria four times as Prince of Wales in 1990, 1999, 2006 and 2018. His wife, Queen Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, accompanied him during the 2018 visit.
The monarch has also publicly expressed affection for Nigerian culture, particularly Pidgin English and Afrobeats music.
In 2023, the King’s Trust International formerly the Prince’s Trust officially launched operations in Nigeria, unveiling initiatives aimed at addressing youth unemployment and supporting entrepreneurship across the country.