King Charles, Queen bid Tinubu, First Lady farewell (video)

King Charles III and Queen Camilla formally bade farewell to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu after the Nigerian leader’s visit to Windsor Castle, marking the conclusion of the UK leg of his state visit.

President Tinubu is now expected to continue with scheduled engagements with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, rounding off a two-day diplomatic mission aimed at strengthening Nigeria-UK ties.

The farewell comes after a state banquet hosted by the British monarch, during which King Charles pledged strong UK support for Nigeria’s security efforts and economic growth. In a speech that blended diplomacy with clear geopolitical intent, the King highlighted Britain’s readiness to back Nigeria’s fight against insurgency in Northern regions and deepen bilateral cooperation on trade, infrastructure, and regional stability.

King Charles described Nigeria as an “economic powerhouse” and “cultural force,” praising its young and dynamic population, while lauding the Nigerian diaspora in the UK as a “living bridge” contributing across business, healthcare, sports, and the arts.

The monarch also emphasized Nigeria’s example of interfaith coexistence, reinforcing the importance of religious harmony in countering divisions that can be exploited by extremist groups. He highlighted Nigeria’s rising role in the Commonwealth and underscored the growing trade relations, noting that Nigeria became the UK’s largest export market in Africa as of January 2026.

The state visit, which included discussions on security, trade, and cultural cooperation, reflects the UK’s commitment to a forward-looking partnership with Nigeria built on equality, mutual respect, and shared values.

Watch the video below: