President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to meet King Charles III on Wednesday as part of Nigeria’s first state visit to the United Kingdom in nearly four decades.
The President and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, arrived on Tuesday at Stansted Airport in London to begin the official engagements.
According to the visit’s schedule, the couple will first meet the Prince and Princess of Wales — Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales — before travelling to Windsor Castle.
King Charles will later host President Tinubu for a formal audience at the historic royal residence, followed by a state banquet in the evening.
Trade and Port Development on the Agenda
Discussions during the visit are expected to focus on strengthening economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Key topics likely to be discussed include major renovation projects for Nigerian seaports supported by Britain and broader trade relations between the two countries.
Bilateral trade between Nigeria and the UK reached £8.1 billion in the year to September 2025, representing an 11.4% increase year-on-year, according to official figures.
The visit also builds on a strategic partnership agreement signed between Nigeria and the United Kingdom in November 2024 aimed at expanding cooperation in areas such as trade, migration, and security.
Further Meetings Planned
President Tinubu is also expected to meet Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and members of the Nigerian diaspora community during the visit.
The trip comes amid security concerns in Nigeria following deadly attacks in the north-east linked to the long-running insurgency that began in 2009.
According to reports, at least 23 people were killed in recent bombings in Maiduguri. In response, Tinubu directed Nigeria’s security chiefs to relocate to the city to coordinate operations.
The current visit marks the first Nigerian state visit to the UK since 1989, although King Charles had previously met Tinubu in September 2024 before ascending the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
