President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to embark on a historic state visit to the United Kingdom later this month following a formal invitation from King Charles III.
The visit, scheduled for March 18 and 19, will see President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, hosted at Windsor Castle by King Charles and Queen Camilla, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria–UK diplomatic relations.
The British Royal Family confirmed the development in an official statement released on Sunday, noting that the visit represents the first full state visit by a Nigerian president to Britain in nearly four decades.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, described the invitation as a landmark moment, stressing that it underscores the strengthening ties between both countries after years of strategic diplomatic engagement.
The visit is particularly historic because it marks the first time since 1989 that a Nigerian leader will be received with full state honours in the United Kingdom. The last such occasion was during the tenure of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, who was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.
Only two other Nigerian leaders have previously undertaken official state visits to the UK — General Yakubu Gowon in 1973 and President Shehu Shagari in 1981. Since then, visits by Nigerian presidents have largely been classified as working or private engagements, lacking the ceremonial recognition associated with state visits.
Although President Tinubu has visited the UK before, including meetings with King Charles in Dubai in 2023 and London in 2024, this upcoming trip represents his first formal state visit to the country since assuming office in May 2023.
The visit comes amid deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom following the signing of a strategic partnership agreement in November 2024, aimed at strengthening collaboration in economic development, security, immigration, and climate action.
Since his inauguration, President Tinubu has embarked on several international engagements across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas, including high-profile state visits to Türkiye, Brazil, and China, where key bilateral agreements were signed.
The UK visit is expected to further enhance diplomatic ties, expand economic partnerships, and reinforce Nigeria’s strategic position on the global stage.
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