Tinubu to make 1st state visit to UK in 37 years

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu will pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.

Accompanied by First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, the President has accepted an invitation from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who will host the event at Windsor Castle. The British Royal Family announced the visit on its official X handle (@RoyalFamily, with the UK Mission in Nigeria confirming the details yesterday.

“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has accepted an invitation from His Majesty, The King, to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from Wednesday, March 18 to Thursday, March 19, 2026. The King and Queen will host the State Visit at Windsor Castle,” the UK Mission stated.

This landmark visit highlights enduring Nigeria-UK diplomatic ties and signals renewed high-level engagement in governance, trade, investment, security and climate action, aligning with Nigeria’s foreign policy goals. State Visits, the highest diplomatic honour between nations, aim to bolster bilateral relations and people-to-people ties.

The last time such a visit occurred was in 1989, when General Ibrahim Babangida spent four days in Britain. It was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.