President Bola Tinubu has jetted out of Abuja for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 10:00 am aboard a presidential Airbus A330.
All eyes are now on Windsor Castle, where Tinubu will be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla from March 18 to 19, a rare royal honour and a first for any Nigerian leader at the iconic residence.
“Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a deep history of ties and a special bond. The purpose of this visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for collaboration on issues such as immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange,” the statement read.
Behind the royal glamour lies serious business.
Tinubu is set for high-stakes talks with Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, where key agreements on trade, defence, investment, and culture are expected to be sealed.
A major highlight will be a massive £746 million deal to revamp Nigeria’s ports, including the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island, in partnership with UK Export Finance.
There’s also a cultural twist. The President will attend a Nigerian Modernism exhibition and meet top British and Nigerian business leaders, alongside members of the diaspora.
Heavyweights on the trip include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, among others.
The last time a Nigerian leader made such a state visit was in 1989, when Ibrahim Babangida met Queen Elizabeth II.
Now, nearly four decades later, Tinubu is back on the royal stage, adding diplomacy, deals, and high-profile royal engagement.
