President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Shade Tinubu, will today Tuesday lead 12 others as they depart Abuja for a historic state visit to the United Kingdom as guests of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The statement of Special Adviser to the President’s Special Adviser (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga disclosed that King Charles will host President Tinubu and his wife at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19.
TheMediaGood Newspaper can report that this UK state visit is the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years, as President Tinubu will also be the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.
Tinubu’s elaborate visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for collaboration on issues such as immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Senior government officials, who are central to the expanded bilateral engagement between the two countries that will eventually culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, are already in the United Kingdom as an advanced team.
Further checks revealed that key areas of cooperation will include trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The key bilateral deals will be sealed while President Bola Tinubu will be guest of Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, London.
While at Windsor Castle, their Majesties will invite the President and the First Lady to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria.
Later, the King and the President will hold private discussions and meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally.
The Royal Family will host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests in the evening.
Onanuga also disclosed that 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 President will be the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, showcasing modern arts and culture, and will also attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and the diaspora community.
The entourage of President Tinubu include Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
Others are: Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.