Tinubu to Make Historic State Visit to UK — First in 37 Years

By: Staff Reporter | www.thepointafrica.news | Nigeria

LONDON — Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to undertake a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18–19, 2026, following an official invitation from King Charles III, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The visit will mark the first state visit by a Nigerian head of state to the UK in 37 years, underscoring a significant diplomatic milestone between the two countries.

According to statements from the British royal household and Nigerian government sources, President Tinubu will be accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and will be formally hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.

This rare state visit follows previous official engagements between President Tinubu and King Charles; the two leaders have met on several occasions since assuming office in May 2023. However, this upcoming March visit will be the first formal state occasion where full state honors are expected to be accorded.

State visits traditionally include formal receptions, ceremonial processions, state banquets, and high-level bilateral meetings, offering opportunities to strengthen political, economic and cultural ties. Details of the full program for the March visit are expected to be released closer to the date.

Historical context highlights the rarity of such visits: the last Nigerian leaders to be hosted on a full state visit in the United Kingdom were General Yakubu Gowon in 1973, President Shehu Shagari in 1981, and General Ibrahim Babangida in 1989 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Officials in both Abuja and London say the visit will provide a platform to build on growing diplomatic cooperation, with expectations that areas such as trade, investment, security and climate change may feature in discussions between the two governments.