President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to embark on a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom on March 18, marking the first such high-level diplomatic honor for a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
The announcement was made by Buckingham Palace on Saturday, confirming that the visit follows a formal invitation from King Charles III. The President will be accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The visit marks a significant revival of long-standing diplomatic traditions between the two nations. While several Nigerian presidents have visited the UK for “working visits” or summits, a formal “State Visit”—characterized by full royal honors and a stay at the Palace—has not occurred since 1989.
According to historical records, the only Nigerian leaders to have undertaken such visits are General Yakubu Gowon in 1973, Alhaji Shehu Shagari in 1981, and General Ibrahim Babangida in 1989.
The Royal Communications team stated that the upcoming visit underscores the deepening ties between the two Commonwealth nations. Although this is his first State Visit to London, President Tinubu has maintained a steady rapport with King Charles since both leaders assumed their respective offices in May 2023.
In November 2023, the two leaders met on the sidelines of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai to discuss bilateral cooperation on climate action. This was followed by a private meeting at Buckingham Palace in September 2024, where, according to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, they discussed pressing global and regional security issues.
King Charles III, who visited Nigeria as the Prince of Wales in 1990, 1999, 2006, and 2018, has long signaled an interest in strengthening the UK’s partnership with Africa’s most populous nation.
The Palace noted that the full itinerary of the State Visit, including ceremonial events and official engagements with the British government, will be released in due course.
Diplomatic analysts expect the visit to focus on economic partnerships, security cooperation, and climate change strategies as both nations navigate a complex global landscape.
