Tinubu makes first Nigerian state visit to UK in 37 years, set to seal £746m ports financing
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu travelled to the United Kingdom on March 17, for a state visit hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in the first visit of its kind by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is scheduled to stay at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19, where he is expected to hold private talks with the King and attend a state banquet in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
The trip also includes a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, expected to culminate in the signing of memoranda of understanding and agreements covering trade, investment, defence, immigration and cultural cooperation, the presidency noted in a statement.
A key commercial highlight is Tinubu witnessing the signing of a £746 million financing deal between UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Nigeria’s Ports Authority (NPA) and the Federal Ministry of Finance. The agreement is aimed at supporting the refurbishment of two major maritime facilities, the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
During the visit, the royal household is expected to show Tinubu a special exhibition of Nigeria-related items from the Royal Collection. Tinubu is also expected to attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition and meet Nigerian and British business leaders, as well as members of the diaspora.
Members of Tinubu’s entourage include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, and several ministers, including Wale Edun (Finance), Jumoke Oduwole (Trade and Investment), and Bosun Tijani (Communications and Digital Economy).
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
