President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19, 2026, becoming the first Nigerian leader in 37 years to be accorded such an honour by the British monarchy.
The last time a Nigerian Head of State undertook a State Visit to the United Kingdom was in 1989, when former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, was hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. President Tinubu’s visit therefore marks a significant moment in Nigeria–United Kingdom diplomatic relations.
The President will be accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Both will be hosted by His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle during the two-day visit.
The announcement was made via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of The Royal Family, which confirmed that President Tinubu had accepted a formal invitation from the British monarch.
According to the statement, “The King and Queen will host the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the First Lady at Windsor Castle during the State Visit.”
The visit underscores the strengthening of bilateral ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, particularly in areas of trade, security cooperation, climate action and cultural exchange, and reflects Nigeria’s strategic importance within the Commonwealth and the wider global community.
The forthcoming State Visit also draws an ironic contrast with a recent episode in Nigeria’s political history. On Good Friday, April 7, 2023, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, was detained by UK immigration officials at London’s Heathrow Airport.
While President Tinubu will now be received in London with full State honours, hosted by the British monarch, the earlier detention of a Nigerian presidential candidate in the same country remains a notable footnote in contemporary political discourse.
President Tinubu’s State Visit is expected to include ceremonial engagements, high-level discussions with UK officials, and meetings aimed at deepening diplomatic and economic relations between both countries.
