Bola Ahmed Tinubu, president of Nigeria, arrived in London on Tuesday for a state visit hosted by King Charles III—the first such visit between the two nations in nearly four decades.
Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, will hold several high-level meetings during the visit aimed at strengthening economic, diplomatic and security ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
On Wednesday, the Nigerian leader will be welcomed by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales before meeting King Charles III at Windsor Castle and attending a state banquet later in the evening.
Tinubu is also scheduled to meet Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, to discuss issues including trade, infrastructure projects such as Nigerian port renovations supported by Britain, and broader cooperation on security and migration.
Trade between Nigeria and the UK reached about £8.1 billion ($11 billion) in the year to September 2025, marking an 11.4% increase compared with the previous year.
The visit follows the signing of a strategic partnership agreement in November 2024 aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, immigration management and defence collaboration between the two countries.
Defence cooperation has become increasingly important after recent security challenges in Nigeria, including a massacre of more than 160 people in Kwara State attributed to terrorist groups.
Meanwhile, Oluremi Tinubu is expected to engage with religious leaders, including representatives of the Church of England, and deliver a sermon at Lambeth Palace.
Source: TRT Africa
