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From Fred Itua, Abuja
The Hope Alive Initiative (HAI) has described the upcoming State Visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom as a landmark validation of Nigeria’s “soft-power diplomacy” and its ascending status in global affairs.
President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, are slated to begin the historic two-day visit on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, following an official invitation from King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
In a statement signed by its Director of Press and Communications, Ernest Omo, HAI noted that the visit, the first of its kind in nearly four decades, carries immense symbolic weight. The group highlighted the significance of the President being hosted at Windsor Castle, a gesture it interpreted as a high-level recognition of Nigeria’s leadership within the Commonwealth.
According to HAI, the visit represents the pinnacle of diplomatic engagement. “This is more than a ceremonial event; it is a signal of a renewed era of cooperation in trade, security, and climate action,” the statement read.
The group expressed optimism that the President will leverage the platform to attract foreign direct investment, highlight the contributions of the Nigerian diaspora, and strengthen ties in the post-Brexit era.
The HAI further tied Nigeria’s growing international respect to the administration’s “bold and difficult” domestic reforms. The organization urged Nigerians to remain steadfast, pointing to a series of macroeconomic successes recorded over the last two years.
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”Inflation has reportedly cooled from a high of 34.19% in 2024 to 15.10% as of January 2026. The economy recorded a 4.07% growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2025, the strongest performance in three years.
“Foreign reserves rose to $45.4 billion by December 2025, aided by the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange market,” the statement added.
The group also lauded the impact of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that over 1.1 million students have benefited from ₦206 billion in tuition support since the program’s inception in 2024.
On the international front, HAI credited the administration for improving Nigeria’s financial reputation, specifically citing the country’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. This move, the group argued, has bolstered counter-terrorism cooperation with key allies like the United States.
”There is a growing national consensus and political alignment across party lines,” Omo stated. “Nigerians must see this UK visit as a reflection of a country that is finally reclaiming its rightful place as the giant of Africa.”
