President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu have departed Abuja for a landmark two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom, at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The visit marks the first State Visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in decades and will see Tinubu become the first Nigerian President to be formally received by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.

According to the Presidency, the trip is aimed at strengthening the longstanding diplomatic, economic and cultural ties between Nigeria and the UK, while opening new avenues for cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, immigration and cultural exchange.

Nigeria and the UK maintain strong trade relations, with bilateral trade reaching £8.1 billion ($11 billion) as of September 2025. Officials say the visit is also expected to boost Nigeria’s global engagement, amid growing international confidence driven by recent economic reforms.

The visit will feature a ceremonial welcome along Datchet Road, including the playing of national anthems and inspection of a guard of honour, followed by a carriage procession to Windsor Castle where the President and First Lady will be formally received. Activities will also include a 21-gun salute, a state luncheon at St George’s Hall, and a state banquet hosted by the Royal Family.

Beyond the ceremonial events, Tinubu is scheduled to hold private discussions with King Charles III and participate in engagements focused on interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange, including a special exhibition from the Royal Collection highlighting Nigerian heritage.

In London, the Nigerian leader will lay a wreath at The Cenotaph before meeting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street for bilateral talks and a working lunch.

The meeting is expected to culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation. Tinubu will also witness the signing of a £746 million financing agreement involving UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance to support the refurbishment of key facilities at Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port.

The President is also billed to attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition as a guest of honour and engage with Nigerian and British business leaders, as well as members of the Nigerian diaspora in the UK.

Members of the President’s delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, Minister of Communications Bosun Tijani, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, among others.

Officials say the visit underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its global partnerships, while advancing economic growth, security cooperation and long-term development under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria after the conclusion of the visit on Thursday.