President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will embark on a historic State Visit to the United Kingdom next month at the invitation of King Charles III, marking the first such honour for a Nigerian leader in nearly four decades.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will visit the UK from March 18 to March 19, 2026, with the British monarch and Queen Camilla hosting the Nigerian delegation at Windsor Castle. The visit underscores renewed diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom at a time both countries are seeking to deepen economic, security and strategic cooperation.
According to a statement from the Nigerian presidency, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady will undertake a State Visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of His Majesty The King,” confirming that the royal reception will take place at Windsor Castle, one of the most prestigious ceremonial venues for visiting heads of state.
The trip carries significant historical weight. The last Nigerian leader to receive a State Visit in the UK was former military president General Ibrahim Babangida in 1989. State Visits are the highest level of diplomatic engagement hosted by the British monarch and are typically reserved for leaders of countries with strong bilateral ties or strategic importance to the United Kingdom.
Diplomatic sources say discussions during Tinubu’s visit are expected to focus on trade and investment, energy transition, security cooperation, migration issues, and strengthening partnerships in education and technology. The UK remains one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners and a major destination for Nigerian students and professionals.
The visit also comes as President Tinubu continues to court foreign investment to support his administration’s economic reform agenda. Officials in Abuja have indicated that the President will use the trip to engage British investors and business leaders on opportunities in infrastructure, energy, agriculture and the digital economy.
The British High Commission in Abuja described the upcoming engagement as a reflection of the “enduring and evolving partnership” between both nations, highlighting shared interests in economic growth, regional security and democratic governance.
Ceremonial elements of the State Visit are expected to include a formal welcome by the King and Queen, a state banquet at Windsor Castle, and high-level bilateral meetings between Nigerian and UK officials.
