President Bola Tinubu will leave Abuja on Tuesday for a state visit to the United Kingdom, at the request of King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla.
Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to him, the president will go with the first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and other members of his cabinet to boost bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, notably in immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Onanuga stated that the British monarch will host the Nigerian leader and his wife to Windsor Castle from March 18 to March 19 to witness a special display of Nigerian-related objects from the Royal Collection.
“The state visit is the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. President Tinubu is also the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
“Later, the King and the President will hold private discussions and meet with organizations engaged in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally.
“President Tinubu will witness the signing of the landmark £746 million financing deal between the UK Export Finance (UKEF) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Federal Ministry of Finance to support the refurbishment of two of Nigeria’s major national maritime infrastructure—the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex,” the statement read.
The royal family is also slated to throw a formal banquet in honor of the Nigerian delegation.
During the visit, Tinubu will meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, following which top officials from both nations are anticipated to increase bilateral ties.
“President Tinubu will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, which will lead to expanded bilateral engagement between senior officials of the two countries.
“The meeting will culminate in the signing of various memoranda of understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defense, and cultural cooperation,” the statement added.
The conference is likely to conclude with the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding and agreements on trade, investment, defense, and cultural cooperation.
The President’s entourage will include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu.
Others are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
