King Charles hosted Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife Oluremi Tinubu in the first Nigerian state visit to the United Kingdom in 37 years, with a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
The two-day visit began with the Nigerian leaders being greeted by senior members of the royal family, including Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales. A grand carriage procession and military parade on the manicured lawns of Windsor Castle set the stage for the historic event.
President Tinubu, who is observing Ramadan, was ceremonially met by the Grenadier Guards and inspected the troops alongside the King, though no traditional lunch with the monarch was held due to his fast.
Before arriving at Windsor, the Tinubus were welcomed at Fairmont Windsor Park by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, and escorted into the town for their formal audience with the King and Queen.
“This state visit is about turning a historic relationship into a modern economic partnership—transforming trust into opportunity,” said Mohammed Idris, a spokesman for the Nigerian government. “Nigeria’s economic reforms are unlocking the potential of Africa’s largest consumer market. The United Kingdom is a natural partner in what comes next. This visit marks the next step in deepening co-operation across trade, finance and defence.”
Over 270,000 Nigerian-born people live in the UK, and the visit is seen as a key opportunity to strengthen business links, including in financial services.
During the state visit, the Tinubus will lay a wreath at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel and attend an interfaith event promoting religious understanding. Mrs Tinubu, an ordained pastor, is scheduled to preach at Lambeth Palace and meet representatives from the Church of England.
The visit comes amid ongoing international concern over security challenges in Nigeria. President Tinubu has faced growing pressure to protect vulnerable groups, including Christians, as incidents of terrorism and communal violence persist across the country. In Borno state this week, at least 23 people were killed and over 100 injured in suspected suicide bombings blamed on Boko Haram. President Tinubu condemned the “evil-minded” terror groups.
Against the backdrop of global conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Nigerian state visit also highlights the UK’s continued engagement with international partners. The visit will culminate in a state banquet at St George’s Hall, where the King and President Tinubu are set to deliver speeches.
