President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will embark on a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to March 19, 2026, following an official invitation from King Charles III. The visit is expected to strengthen diplomatic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom and marks a major moment in relations between the two countries.
The announcement was made on Sunday through a post on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the British royal family. According to the statement, President Tinubu will be formally hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle. The President will be accompanied by his wife and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the visit.
The royal family’s post stated, “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has accepted an invitation from His Majesty The King to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom from Wednesday, 18th March to Thursday, 19th March 2026. The King and Queen will host the state visit at Windsor Castle.”
Reacting to the announcement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, described the visit as historic. He noted that it would be the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years.
“First state visit of a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years confirmed. President Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu to be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla from 18th March to 19th March 2026,” Onanuga wrote.
The last time a Nigerian leader embarked on a state visit to the United Kingdom was in 1989. At the time, Nigeria was under military rule, and the then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II. That visit lasted four days and focused on diplomatic, economic, and security relations between both countries.
Since then, no Nigerian leader has been accorded a full state visit by the British monarchy, making President Tinubu’s trip a significant milestone in Nigeria-UK relations. State visits are usually reserved for countries with strong historical and diplomatic ties and are seen as a sign of mutual respect and cooperation.
Nigeria and the United Kingdom share long-standing relations that date back to the colonial era. The UK remains one of Nigeria’s key partners in areas such as trade, education, security, and development assistance. Thousands of Nigerians live, work, and study in the UK, while British companies continue to operate across various sectors of the Nigerian economy, including oil and gas, finance, and telecommunications.
President Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, has made foreign diplomacy an important part of his administration. Since becoming president, he has held meetings with several world leaders and attended major international events aimed at improving Nigeria’s global standing and attracting foreign investment.
King Charles III also ascended the British throne in May 2023 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for over 70 years. The King has shown interest in strengthening ties with Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, which is one of Africa’s largest economies and most populous nations.
President Tinubu and King Charles have met on several occasions since both leaders assumed office. In November 2023, Tinubu met the monarch in Dubai ahead of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP28. At the meeting, Tinubu described their discussion as an important step toward deepening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Climate change and environmental issues are believed to be among the areas of shared interest between both leaders. King Charles has long been an advocate for environmental protection, while Nigeria has been seeking international support to address climate-related challenges such as flooding, desertification, and energy transition.
In September 2024, President Tinubu also visited King Charles at Buckingham Palace during a private meeting. Although details of the meeting were not made public, it was widely seen as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement between both countries.
The upcoming state visit is expected to include formal ceremonies, bilateral talks, and meetings with senior UK officials. While the full programme of events has not yet been released, state visits typically involve discussions on trade, security cooperation, education, migration, and cultural exchange.
The presence of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also highlights the importance of the visit. First Ladies often engage in discussions around education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and social development during such trips.
For many Nigerians, the visit is a reminder of the long and complex relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. While the two countries share history and strong people-to-people ties, the visit offers a chance to reset relations based on mutual benefit and respect.
As March 2026 approaches, attention will be on the outcomes of the visit and how it will shape future cooperation between Nigeria and the UK. With this historic invitation, President Tinubu becomes the first Nigerian leader in nearly four decades to be hosted on a state visit by the British monarchy, marking a new chapter in diplomatic relations between both nations.
