By Our Correspondent
President Bola Tinubu will undertake a State Visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, marking the first official State Visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years.
According to an announcement by the British Royal Family on its official X handle, @RoyalFamily, President Tinubu will be accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and will be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
The historic visit underscores the enduring diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom and reflects renewed high-level engagement between both countries across political, economic and cultural fronts.
President Tinubu’s visit is expected to further consolidate Nigeria–UK relations, particularly in areas of governance, trade, investment, security cooperation and climate action, in line with Nigeria’s broader foreign policy priorities.
The Royal Family wrote “First state visit of a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years confirmed. President Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu to be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla from 18th March to 19th March 2026.”
State Visits represent the highest form of diplomatic honour between nations and are reserved for strengthening bilateral relations, reinforcing strategic partnerships and deepening people-to-people cooperation.
The visit also indicate a renewed phase of diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and UK, coming amid ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria as a reliable partner for global collaboration and investment.
The last State Visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK took place in 1989, when then military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, visited Britain for a four-day engagement hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Ahmed 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, 18th March to Thursday, 19th March 2026.
“This historic visit provides an opportunity to further strengthen the enduring partnership between our two nations.
“The King and Queen will host the State Visit at Windsor Castle,” the UK Mission in Nigeria wrote.
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