President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu have touched down in the United Kingdom for a two-day state visit aimed at strengthening the relationship between Nigeria and Britain across trade, security and other critical areas.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, announced on X that the couple landed at London’s Stansted Airport at exactly 3:23 p.m. local time.
Dare described the visit as “historic,” calling it a reset in relations between both countries and signalling that it is expected to produce trade deals, security agreements and other significant outcomes.
The presidential aide added that the President and First Lady began their drive to Windsor Castle immediately after arriving at the airport.
Their journey began earlier in the day when their flight departed from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at about 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
A high-level delegation was at the airport to see them off, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and other senior government officials.
The visit is a landmark moment in Nigeria-UK relations. It marks the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years and makes Tinubu the first Nigerian president to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
During the visit, King Charles is expected to invite the President and First Lady to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria.
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The monarch and the President will also hold private discussions and meet with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue at both national and international levels.
A state banquet will be hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
Beyond the ceremonies at Windsor Castle, President Tinubu will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.
The discussions are expected to lead to expanded engagement between senior officials of both countries and will culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.
A major highlight of the visit will be the signing of a landmark £746 million financing deal between UK Export Finance and the Nigerian Ports Authority alongside the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The deal will support the refurbishment of two critical maritime facilities, the Lagos Port Complex at Apapa Quays and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President is accompanied by a large delegation of senior government figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, Minister of Information and National Orientation Idris Mohammed and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Others on the trip include Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani, Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (retd.), National Security Adviser Malam 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.
