Uche Amunike
Lifeandtimes News Writer
Following an official invitation from King Charles 111, President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Remi Tinubu will embark on a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, between March 18 and 19, 2026.
This announcement was made, Sunday, via a post on the official X handle of the British royal family, which stated that President Tinubu would be formally hosted by the King and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
The post also stated that the president will be accompanied by his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, during the visit.
The Royal family post stated: ‘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.’
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in reaction to the post, stated that it would be the first state visit by a Nigerian president the United Kingdom in 37 years.
His words: ‘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 state visit to be attended by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom took place in 1989. It was attended by former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida. The visit lasted for four days and he was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth ll.
One of the highlights of the visit was that Gen Ibrahim Babangida conferred Nigeria highest national honor, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Queen Elizabeth II.
Before Babangida’s visit, General Yakubu Gowon and President Shehu Shagari had also embarked on state visits to the United Kingdom and were also hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
According to reports by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), state visits are a tool of soft-power diplomacy, which combines royal ceremony and hospitality to strengthen ties with key international partners.
On several occasions, President Tinubu and King Charles, who both assumed office in May 2023, have crossed paths on several occasions.
Recall that in November 2023, President Tinubu met King Charles in Dubai, United Arab Emirates just before the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). He described the engagement as an important step towards strengthening bilateral relations.
King Charles also received President Tinubu at Buckingham Palace in September 2024, during a private meeting.
The British Monarch for a long time, has maintained personal ties with Nigeria and has openly expressed his fondness for Afrobeats music and the pidgin English.
He visited Nigeria four times as the prince of Wales in 1990, 1999, 2006 and 2018 before he ascended the throne. He was accompanied by Camila during the 2018 visit when she was still the Duchess of Cornwall.
The King’s Trust International, which was formally known as The Prince’s Trust, officially launched operations in Nigeria in 2023 where they unveiled initiatives aimed at addressing Youth Unemployment in the country.
