President Bola Tinubu is set to witness the signing of a landmark £746 million financing agreement between the United Kingdom Export Finance and Nigeria’s Ports Authority and Federal Ministry of Finance.
The signing of the agreement aimed at refurbishing two of Nigeria’s busiest ports: the Lagos Port Complex at Apapa Quays and the Tin Can Island Port Complex, will take place during his State visit to the United Kingdom.
President Tinubu is scheduled to arrive Britain on Tuesday for the state visit hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years and the first time a Nigerian president has been received at Windsor Castle by a British monarch.
Special Adviser on Information and Startegy to the President Bayo Onanuga in a statement Monday said, Tinubu will be accompanied by his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on the historic trip.
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“President Tinubu will witness the signing of the landmark £746 million financing deal between the UK Export Finance (UKEF) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Federal Ministry of Finance to support the refurbishment of two of Nigeria’s major national maritime infrastructure – the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex,” the statement added.
NewsQuest reports that President Tinubu would be staying at the castle through Thursday.
The visit signifies the deepening of ties between the former colonial power and its onetime colony, with a focus on trade, investment, immigration and cultural exchanges.
Bayo said, on Wednesday, the royal couple will escorte Presidenr Tinubu through a special exhibition of Nigerian artifacts from the Royal Collection.
King Charles and President Tinubu will also hold private talks and met with groups promoting interfaith dialogue, followed by a state banquet.
On Thursday, President Tinubu will meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.
The statement said there will also be memorandums of understandings on trade, defense, investment and culture.
Onanuga noted that the President will be the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, showcasing modern arts and culture, and will also attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and the diaspora community.
“Members of the President’s entourage include: Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
“Others are: Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed,” Onanuga added.
President Tinubu will return to the country at the conclusion of the State Visit.
