By our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Tuesday depart Abuja for a historic State Visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will be accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for the visit which begins on March 17.
The British monarch will host President Tinubu and the First Lady at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.
The visit is described as historic, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years and the first time a Nigerian president will be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
The State Visit is expected to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom and explore new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as immigration, trade, investment and cultural exchange.
During the visit, King Charles III will host the President and the First Lady at a special exhibition featuring items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria. The two leaders will also hold private discussions and meet with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue.
A State Banquet will later be hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
President Tinubu is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, where both countries are expected to expand bilateral engagement. The meeting is expected to culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.
As part of the engagements, the President will witness the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance for the refurbishment of two major maritime facilities — the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
Tinubu will also attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition showcasing modern Nigerian arts and culture and 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 Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance Wale Edun; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole.
Others are Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the State Visit.
