President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday left Abuja for a state visit to the United Kingdom.
The Airbus A330 conveying the President and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at approximately 10:00 am, PUNCH Online gathered.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed this on Monday, said Tinubu and his wife Oluremi would be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.
He said both the Nigerian leaders and his entourage would be treated to state banquet hosted by the Royal Family, adding that this would be followed by private discussions between the King and Tinubu.
Also, their Majesties will host Tinubu and the First Lady to a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria, adding that the British monarch and his guests will also meet with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally.
Onanuga said “Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a deep history of ties and a special bond. The purpose of this visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for collaboration on issues such as immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange,” the statement read.
According to the statement, Tinubu and Prime Minister Keir Starmer will hold bilateral talks at 10 Downing Street, which will lead to expanded bilateral engagement between senior officials of both countries.
Various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation are expected to be signed after the talks.
Tinubu, Onanuga said, will supervise the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between the UK Export Finance and the Nigerian Ports Authority and Federal Ministry of Finance meant for the refurbishment of two major national maritime infrastructure — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The Nigerian leader will also be the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, showcasing modern arts and culture, and will attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and the diaspora community.
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; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu made the trip with the President
Others are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.
The rest are Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.); National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu who is the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle, is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit.
The last Nigerian state visit to the United Kingdom was in 1989 when President Ibrahim Babangida visited during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
