PRESIDENT TINUBU, WIFE TO VISIT UK ON LANDMARK STATE VISIT
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
President Bola Tinubu is set to undertake a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an official invitation from King Charles III.
The announcement was made on Sunday through the British Royal Family’s official X account, which stated that Tinubu would be formally hosted by the King and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
The Nigerian president will be accompanied by his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, during the visit.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, has accepted an invitation from His Majesty the King to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom from Wednesday, 18th March, to Thursday, 19th March, 2026. The King and Queen will host the state visit at Windsor Castle,” the Royal Family’s post read.
Reacting to the announcement, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, highlighted that the upcoming trip would mark the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years.
He tweeted, “First state visit of a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years confirmed. President Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu to be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla from 18th March to 19th March, 2026.”
The last Nigerian leader to undertake a state visit to the UK was former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in 1989.
The last state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK was by former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II for four days. During the visit, Gen. Babangida conferred Nigeria’s highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, on the Queen.
Earlier, former Military Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon and President Shehu Shagari also undertook state visits to the UK and were hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has described state visits as a tool of soft-power diplomacy, combining royal ceremony and hospitality to strengthen ties with key international partners.
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President Tinubu and King Charles III, who both assumed office in May 2023, have met on several occasions. In November 2023, Tinubu met the monarch in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, ahead of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), describing the engagement as an important step in deepening bilateral relations.
In September 2024, King Charles also received President Tinubu at Buckingham Palace during a private meeting.
The British monarch has longstanding ties with Nigeria and has publicly expressed his appreciation for Pidgin English and Afrobeats music.
Before ascending the throne, King Charles visited Nigeria four times as Prince of Wales—in 1990, 1999, 2006, and 2018. Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, accompanied him on the 2018 visit.
In 2023, The King’s Trust International, formerly The Prince’s Trust, officially began operations in Nigeria, launching initiatives aimed at tackling youth unemployment in the country.
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