President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu are set to depart Abuja for a landmark state visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The visit, described as historic, marks the first time in decades that a Nigerian leader will undertake a full state visit to the United Kingdom.
It will also be the first occasion a Nigerian president will be formally hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
Officials said the trip is aimed at deepening diplomatic, economic and cultural ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Nigeria, which gained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960, maintains strong historical and trade relations with the UK.
The visit is expected to create fresh opportunities for cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, migration and cultural exchange.
Available data shows that trade between both countries stood at about £8.1 billion as of September 2025.
Government sources said ongoing economic reforms by the Tinubu administration are helping to reshape global perception about Nigeria’s economy.
According to the programme of events, the royal hosts will receive the president and his wife with a series of ceremonial activities and engagements.
The schedule includes a special exhibition from the Royal Collection featuring items connected to Nigeria.
Private discussions between the Nigerian leader and the British monarch, as well as joint engagements on interfaith dialogue, are also part of the itinerary.
A ceremonial welcome will take place along Datchet Road, including the playing of national anthems and inspection of a guard of honour.
Following the ceremony, the president will participate in a carriage procession to Windsor Castle where he will be officially received.
Activities lined up include a formal reception, a 21-gun salute and a state luncheon at St George’s Hall.
In London, Tinubu is expected to lay a wreath at The Cenotaph.
He will also meet with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at 10 Downing Street for bilateral talks and a working lunch.
A state banquet will be hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian leader and his delegation.
Talks between Tinubu and Starmer are expected to lead to the signing of agreements covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.
The president will also witness the signing of a £746 million financing deal involving UK Export Finance, Nigerian Ports Authority and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The agreement will support the upgrade of major facilities at Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port.
As part of the visit, Tinubu will attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition and interact with business leaders and Nigerians living in the UK.
Members of the delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio and several ministers such as Lateef Fagbemi, Dele Alake, Mohammed Idris and Bianca Ojukwu.
Others are Wale Edun, Jumoke Oduwole, Hannatu Musawa, Bosun Tijani and Christopher Musa.
Also accompanying the president are National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
The president is expected to conclude the visit on Thursday and depart the United Kingdom from RAF Northolt.
