Tinubu arrives U.K. for historic state visit

By Muhyideen Jimoh

President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Tuesday arrived in the United Kingdom for a landmark state visit.

The presidential aircraft touched down at Stansted Airport at about 3:23 p.m. local time, marking the formal commencement of the high-level diplomatic engagement.

The arrival was confirmed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, via a post on his verified X handle.

“Timeline: 15:23PM. President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu touch down at Stansted Airport, United Kingdom, as a historic visit begins.”

A brief video clip accompanying the post showed the presidential aircraft taxiing to a stop on the tarmac before the President and the First Lady disembarked.

The state visit marks the first by a Nigerian leader to the U.K. in 37 years will be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.

Nigeria and the UK share long-standing diplomatic ties and historical relations built over decades of political, economic and cultural cooperation.

The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and explore new avenues for collaboration between the two countries.

While at Windsor Castle, Their Majesties will invite the President and the First Lady to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria.

The King and President Tinubu will also hold private discussions and meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue at both national and international levels.

The Royal Family will later host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests.

Tinubu will also hold a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.

The meeting is expected to deepen bilateral engagement between senior officials of both countries.

It will culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.

The president will also witness the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between the UK Export Finance and Nigerian authorities.

The agreement will support the refurbishment of the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

Tinubu will further attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition showcasing modern Nigerian arts/culture and participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.

Members of the president’s entourage include Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed.

Others are Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole and Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd); National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed are also part of the entourage.

The president is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit. (NAN)