President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu arrived at Stansted Airport on Tuesday afternoon, marking the start of a landmark state visit to the United Kingdom. The presidential aircraft touched down shortly after 3:00 p.m. local time under clear skies, with footage shared on X by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
The visit, extended by invitation from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is the first Nigerian state visit to the UK since 1989 and the first time a Nigerian leader will be hosted at Windsor Castle. Previous Nigerian state visits took place in 1973 and 1981 under the late Queen Elizabeth II.
During the visit, the President and First Lady will attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, showcasing modern arts and culture, and participate in a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and the diaspora community. The royal hosts will also engage the President in discussions with organisations involved in national and international interfaith dialogue.
President Tinubu is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, which will lead to expanded cooperation between senior officials of both countries. The meeting will also include the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural collaboration.
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Additionally, the President will witness the signing of a £746 million financing deal between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance, aimed at refurbishing the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and Tin Can Island Port Complex.
Members of the presidential entourage include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Ministers Dele Alake, Idris Mohammed, Bianca Ojukwu, Wale Edun, Jumoke Oduwole, Hannatu Musawa, Bosun Tijani, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and DG of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
