The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has stated that President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom has ushered in a new phase in Nigeria-UK relations, with fresh agreements set to boost cooperation in trade, the economy, and security.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, March 23, the minister described the visit, hosted by King Charles III, as a “strategic reset,” noting that it signaled a shift from longstanding historical ties to a more contemporary partnership focused on investment and shared security priorities.
According to a statement released by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, the two-day visit, held from March 18 to 19, yielded major outcomes, including a £746 million agreement on port development, as well as enhanced collaboration in technology and security sectors.
“The high-level diplomatic recognition signifies a strategic reset in bilateral ties focusing on economic, trade and security cooperation,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
She further explained that Tinubu’s engagements with British authorities, including a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street, centred on joint strategies to tackle terrorism, strengthen digital border systems, and address instability within the region.
“The visit provided a great opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its reform agenda and highlight vast investment opportunities across sectors such as mining, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing and fintech,” she said.
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The minister also noted that discussions around the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership played a key role in advancing economic collaboration between both countries.
Commenting on the reception given to the Nigerian delegation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said President Tinubu and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, were accorded full British honours, especially during official engagements at Windsor Castle.
She highlighted the cultural aspect of the visit, pointing out that Nigeria’s artistic heritage was prominently displayed at an exhibition titled “Nigeria’s Modernism” held at the Tate Modern. During the event, Tinubu praised Nigerian artists for their global impact.
“This exhibition is a testament to a revolution. It tells the story of a generation of Nigerian giants, who in the middle of the 20th century refused to be despised but chose to define themselves,” Tinubu said.
He further commended the creativity of Nigerians, noting that their works reflect “a timeless and enduring fusion of the ancient and the modern.”
Also speaking during the state visit, UK Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, who hosted a reception in honour of the President, reaffirmed the enduring strength of relations between both nations and reiterated the commitment to sustained strategic cooperation.
Tinubu’s trip is considered historic, as he becomes the first Nigerian leader in 37 years, and the fifth overall, to receive a state visit honour from the British monarchy.