President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18, at the invitation of King Charles III, Buckingham Palace has announced.
In a statement released on Saturday, the royal communications team said the Nigerian leader will be formally received by the British monarch. Tinubu will be accompanied on the trip by his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
The visit is considered historic, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years and a significant moment in Nigeria–UK relations.
The last such visits were made by General Yakubu Gowon in 1973, President Shehu Shagari in 1981, and General Ibrahim Babangida in 1989.
Although this will be Tinubu’s first official state visit to the UK as president, it will not be his first engagement with King Charles.
READ ALSO: FG Seeks Transfer of Ike Ekweremadu from UK Prison
Both leaders assumed office in May 2023 and have since met on multiple occasions.
Tinubu met the monarch in November 2023 ahead of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, describing the encounter as an important step toward deepening bilateral ties.
In September 2024, King Charles also hosted the Nigerian president for a private meeting at Buckingham Palace.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, discussions during that meeting centred on global and regional issues of mutual concern, with particular emphasis on the pressing challenge of climate change.
King Charles, while still Prince of Wales, previously visited Nigeria in 1990, 1999, 2006, and 2018.
Buckingham Palace said details of the programme for Tinubu’s state visit will be released at a later date.
