President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu have arrived in the United Kingdom to begin a historic state visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between both nations.
The presidential aircraft touched down at Stansted Airport on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after 3:00 p.m. local time, marking the official start of the visit.
Confirming the arrival, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, shared updates via social media.
“Timeline: 15:23PM. President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu touch down at Stansted airport, United Kingdom as Historic Visit begins,” Dare wrote.
The visit follows an invitation from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, with the Nigerian leader set to be hosted at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.
This marks the first Nigerian state visit to the UK since 1989 and the first time a Nigerian president will be received at Windsor Castle. Previous visits took place in 1973 and 1981 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the visit will feature a series of high-level engagements. President Tinubu is expected to attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition celebrating arts and culture, as well as a reception involving Nigerian and British business leaders alongside members of the diaspora.
The President will also engage in interfaith discussions with organisations working both within and outside the UK.
A major highlight of the trip will be a bilateral meeting with Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street. The talks are expected to deepen cooperation between both countries and will culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural partnerships.
During the visit, Tinubu will also witness the signing of a significant £746 million financing agreement involving UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance. The deal is aimed at upgrading key maritime infrastructure, including the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake; Minister of Information Mohammed Idris; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu.
Other members of the delegation include Minister of Finance Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture Hannatu Musawa; and Minister of Communications Bosun Tijani.
Also present are Minister of Defence Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Mohammed Mohammed.
The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral relations and open new opportunities for cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom across multiple sectors.
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