Tinubu, First Lady head to UK on historic state visit at King Charles’ invitation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to embark on a rare and historic State Visit to the United Kingdom later this month following a formal invitation from King Charles III.

The British Royal Family confirmed the visit in a statement posted on its official X account on Sunday, announcing that President Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will visit the UK from Wednesday, March 18 to Thursday, March 19, 2026.

According to the statement, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host the Nigerian leader and his wife at Windsor Castle during the visit.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, also confirmed the development, describing it as a landmark moment in Nigeria–UK relations. He noted that the visit marks the first State Visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years.

The last time a Nigerian leader received full state honours in the UK was in 1989, when former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II. Earlier State Visits were undertaken by General Yakubu Gowon in 1973 and President Shehu Shagari in 1981.

While several Nigerian presidents, including Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari, have visited the UK since then, those trips were classified as private, working or official visits and did not carry the ceremonial status of a State Visit.

President Tinubu has met King Charles III twice since assuming office in May 2023—first during the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai in December 2023, and again in September 2024 during a private meeting at Buckingham Palace, where discussions focused on climate change and global security.

The UK visit adds to President Tinubu’s expanding record of foreign engagements, which include state visits to Türkiye and Brazil, as well as official visits to China, Qatar, the Netherlands, Equatorial Guinea and Benin Republic.

His international travels reflect an administration focused on strengthening diplomatic ties, expanding trade partnerships and deepening strategic cooperation across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.