President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in the United Kingdom for a two-day state visit aimed at strengthening ties between both countries.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, landed at London Stansted Airport at 3:23pm local time on Tuesday, according to his media aide Sunday Dare. The visit marks the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
From the airport, the presidential convoy headed to Windsor Castle, where the British monarch will host the Nigerian leader. Tinubu is the first Nigerian president to be received at the historic residence.
During the visit, the President will hold talks with King Charles and attend a state banquet in his honour. He is also scheduled to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street to discuss deeper cooperation.
Officials say the talks will focus on trade, investment, defence, and cultural exchange. Several agreements are expected to be signed, including a £746m financing deal between UK Export Finance and Nigerian authorities.
The funding will support the upgrade of key facilities at Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port, two major gateways for Nigeria’s maritime trade.
Tinubu will also attend a Nigerian Modernism exhibition and meet business leaders from both countries, alongside members of the Nigerian diaspora.
The President departed Abuja earlier on Tuesday and was seen off by top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
His delegation includes ministers overseeing finance, trade, defence, foreign affairs, and communications.
The presidency says the visit signals a reset in Nigeria-UK relations and is expected to unlock new economic opportunities.
President Tinubu is due to return to Nigeria at the end of the visit.
