Dare Babalola
President Bola Tinubu, accompanied by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will depart Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, for a state visit to the United Kingdom as guests of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to him, Tinubu will travel with other members of his cabinet to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UK, particularly in immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Onanuga said the British monarch would host the Nigerian leader and his wife at Windsor Castle from March 18 to March 19 to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection relating to Nigeria.
“The state visit is the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. President Tinubu is also the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
“Later, the King and the President will hold private discussions and meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally.
“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 read.
The royal family is also expected to host a state banquet in honour of the Nigerian delegation.
During the visit, Tinubu will hold a bilateral meeting with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at 10 Downing Street, after which senior officials from both countries are expected to expand bilateral engagements.
“President Tinubu will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, which will lead to expanded bilateral engagement between senior officials of the two countries.
“The meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation,” the statement added.
The meeting is expected to culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
Members of the President’s entourage will include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu.
Others are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
