President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu will visit the United Kingdom from 18 to 19 March 2026, at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The Royal Family confirmed the engagement on its official X account, noting that the visit will be hosted at Windsor Castle. This will be the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years, since former military president Ibrahim Babangida visited in 1989.
State visits are the highest level of diplomatic engagement and combine ceremonial protocol with official meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The Tinubu visit follows multiple interactions between the Nigerian president and King Charles since May 2023. In November 2023, Tinubu met the monarch before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. In September 2024, he held a private meeting at Buckingham Palace.
Reaffirming diplomatic ties and strategic partnership
Officials in Abuja and London have confirmed that the full programme of the state visit will include formal welcome ceremonies, state banquets, and official meetings between the Nigerian and British leaders. In November 2025, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, met the British Foreign Secretary in London to discuss strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, security, education, migration, and climate action.
The discussions at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) emphasized strengthening ties through new economic opportunities, defense partnerships, and leveraging the Nigerian diaspora for increased mutual prosperity. News Round The Clock reports that both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration.
The visit represents a continuation of efforts to solidify bilateral ties, maintain open channels for dialogue, and advance mutually beneficial agreements.
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Boosting trade and investment between Nigeria and the UK
Trade between Nigeria and the UK reached £8.1 billion (approximately $11 billion) in the year to September 2025, with UK exports to Nigeria accounting for £5.7 billion, driving the growth. This represents a 14.2% increase in UK exports, largely fueled by refined petroleum, while Nigeria’s exports to the UK focus on products like cocoa paste and fertilizers. In addition, Nigeria and the UK have implemented the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), designed to promote trade, attract investment, and facilitate cooperation between public and private sectors.
Officials say ETIP provides a framework to address regulatory barriers, expand market access, and support economic growth, particularly in agriculture, technology, manufacturing, and energy sectors. The state visit provides a platform for both governments to sign and review sector-specific agreements, according to informed sources.
Strengthening security cooperation and diaspora engagement
Security cooperation remains an important part of Nigeria-UK relations. Both countries have engaged on regional security, governance, and counter-terrorism initiatives. The UK is also home to a large Nigerian diaspora whose contributions to economic and cultural exchange reinforce bilateral relations.
According to diplomatic sources, the visit allows both governments to review joint security frameworks and discuss ways to leverage diaspora networks for mutual benefit.
Building on historical and cultural links
King Charles III has longstanding ties with Nigeria, having visited the country four times as Prince of Wales in 1990, 1999, 2006, and 2018. These visits underscore a historical connection and provide context for ongoing diplomatic and cultural collaboration, News Round The Clock reports.
The state visit will highlight cultural diplomacy alongside political and economic cooperation, reinforcing a relationship that extends beyond formal government interactions.
Setting the agenda for future cooperation
News Round The Clock understands that the Tinubu state visit is expected to result in formal agreements and joint statements on trade, investment, education, and climate cooperation. Nigerian and British authorities have indicated that sector-specific meetings and bilateral discussions will be highlighted in official communiqués following the visit.
The visit represents a strategic milestone in Nigeria-UK relations, combining ceremonial recognition, diplomatic engagement, and concrete economic and security cooperation, marking a significant step in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
