Tinubu Begins State Visit to United Kingdom Tomorrow
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Tuesday depart Abuja for a State Visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. President Tinubu will be accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for the visit scheduled to take place at Windsor Castle from Wednesday to Thursday. The visit is described as historic, being 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 a British monarch at Windsor Castle.
By Abubakar Mala Gajibo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Tuesday depart Abuja for a State Visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for the visit scheduled to take place at Windsor Castle from Wednesday to Thursday.
The visit is described as historic, being 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 a British monarch at Windsor Castle.
The Presidency says the visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, particularly in the areas of immigration, trade, investment and cultural exchange.
During the visit, President Tinubu and the First Lady will view an exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria, while the President is also expected to hold private discussions with King Charles and meet organisations involved in interfaith dialogue.
A State Banquet will also be hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
President Tinubu will equally hold a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, expected to lead to expanded cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting will also witness the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.
President Tinubu will also witness the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Federal Ministry of Finance Nigeria for the refurbishment of the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President will also attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition showcasing arts and culture, and meet Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.
Members of the President’s delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Communications Bosun Tijani, Minister of Culture Hannatu Musawa, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Nigeria, Mohammed Mohammed, among others.
President Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria at the end of the visit.
