President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, for a historic State Visit to the United Kingdom as a guest of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The president will be accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for the visit which will see the Nigerian leader hosted at Windsor Castle from March 18 to March 19.
Announcing the trip in a statement issued on March 16, 2026, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the visit as historic.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will depart Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, for a State Visit to the United Kingdom as guests of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla,” Onanuga said.
He noted that the trip marks the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years, and the first time a Nigerian president will be formally hosted by a British monarch at Windsor Castle.
According to Onanuga, the visit is aimed at strengthening long-standing relations between both countries and deepening cooperation in key sectors.
“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,” he stated.
During the visit, the British monarch will host the Nigerian president and his wife at Windsor Castle, where they will view a special exhibition from the Royal Collection highlighting historical items related to Nigeria.
“Their Majesties will invite the President and the First Lady to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria. Later, the King and the President will hold private discussions and meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally,” Onanuga added.
The Royal Family will also host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
While in London, President Tinubu is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at 10 Downing Street.
Onanuga said the meeting would pave the way for expanded cooperation between both countries.
“The meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation,” he said.
A major highlight of the visit will be the signing of a £746 million financing deal between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance to support the refurbishment of two major maritime facilities — the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The statement added that President Tinubu will also attend the Nigerian Modernism Exhibition, where he will serve as guest of honour, showcasing Nigeria’s modern art and cultural heritage.
He is also scheduled to participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
Members of the president’s delegation include Godswill Akpabio; Lateef Fagbemi; Dele Alake; Mohammed Idris; Bianca Ojukwu; Wale Edun; and Jumoke Oduwole.
Others are Hannatu Musawa; Bosun Tijani; Christopher Musa; Nuhu Ribadu; and Mohammed Mohammed.
Onanuga added that the president will return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the visit.
