President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, will undertake a state visit to the United Kingdom next month at the invitation of King Charles III, Buckingham Palace has announced.
The two-day visit, from Wednesday 18 March to Thursday 19 March 2026, will see President Tinubu and First Lady welcomed at Windsor Castle by the King and Queen Camilla.
The visit was announced on Sunday via a post on the official X handle of the British royal family, which stated that the Nigerian leader would be formally hosted by the King and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
According to the post, Tinubu will be accompanied by his wife and First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, during the visit.
The post read, “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, Bayo Onanuga, noted that it would be the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years.
He wrote, “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.”
NewsQuest reports that the visit marks a significant moment in UK-Nigeria relations, underscoring London’s efforts to deepen economic and security partnerships with Africa’s most populous nation amid shifting global trade dynamics.
The itinerary, while not yet detailed, is expected to include bilateral meetings, a state banquet and discussions on key issues such as investment in Nigeria’s energy sector, climate resilience and counter-terrorism cooperation in the Sahel region.
As a major oil producer and growing tech hub, the nation represents a vital partner for the UK as it seeks to diversify supply chains post-Brexit.
President Tinubu, who took office in 2023 amid economic challenges including soaring inflation and currency devaluation, has prioritised foreign investment to bolster reforms.
The last Nigerian leader state visit to the UK was in 1989, when former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II for four days.
Tinubu and King Charles, who both assumed office in May 2023, have met on several occasions.
In November 2023, the Nigerian leader met the monarch in Dubai ahead of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).
Tinubu’s scheduled visit comes as the UK negotiates enhanced trade frameworks with Commonwealth nations, with Nigeria’s youthful population and strategic location offering opportunities in renewables and digital innovation.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty looks forward to hosting President Tinubu and Mrs Tinubu for this state visit, celebrating the deep historical and contemporary bonds between our nations.”
