President Bola Tinubu will arrive in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2026, ahead of a historic state visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Britain.
Formal events will begin on March 18, when Tinubu and his wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, will be hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle.
Tinubu will become the fifth Nigerian leader to receive the honour of a state visit from the British monarchy and the first to be hosted at Windsor Castle. Previous Nigerian leaders were received at Buckingham Palace.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, the visit reflects the evolution of Nigeria–UK relations from historical ties to deeper cooperation in trade, investment and global diplomacy.
Nigeria’s first post-independence leader, Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, was the first Nigerian invited on a state visit by a British sovereign when he was received by Queen Elizabeth II on Dec. 14, 1965.
Military Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon was later hosted on June 12, 1973, followed by President Shehu Shagari, whose state visit took place between March 17 and March 20, 1981.
In 1989, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and his wife, Maryam Babangida, were hosted by Queen Elizabeth II during another state visit.
Ajayi said Tinubu’s visit signals a new phase of cooperation between both countries, particularly in trade, investment and innovation.
Nigeria remains the United Kingdom’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with annual bilateral trade estimated at about eight billion pounds across sectors including energy, finance, education, technology and retail.
Economic ties between the two countries were further strengthened by the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) signed in 2024.
The agreement aims to expand bilateral trade, remove barriers to commerce and deepen cooperation in agriculture, renewable energy, fintech, manufacturing and the creative economy.
Under the arrangement, Nigerian exporters can also access the UK market through the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which offers low- or zero-tariff access for more than 3,000 products.
Ajayi noted that Tinubu’s visit comes at a time when Nigeria is pursuing economic reforms aimed at stabilising the economy, liberalising the foreign exchange market and attracting foreign investment.
During the visit, Tinubu is expected to hold bilateral talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street and attend a business summit involving Nigerian and British investors.
The engagements will focus on strengthening economic cooperation and promoting investment opportunities in sectors such as mining, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, technology and the creative industry.
The United Kingdom is also home to a large Nigerian diaspora estimated at more than 500,000 people who contribute significantly to both economies through entrepreneurship, professional work and remittances.
Ajayi said the visit will further advance the relationship between Nigeria and the UK from historical connections to a modern partnership driven by trade, investment and shared prosperity.
