President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu were hosted with pomp and splendour by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years .
Military President Ibrahim Babangida was the last Nigerian leader to pay a state visit in 1989, following earlier state visits by former President Shehu Shagari in 1981 and General Yakubu Gowon, all of whom were hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II .
Tinubu and his wife were received by senior royals, including Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, before being escorted to meet the King and Queen for the formal welcome .
Because the visit coincides with Ramadan, there was no traditional lunch with the King, but the President and First Lady were still treated to the full ceremonial grandeur of a royal welcome in warm spring weather .
A carriage procession brought the Nigerian visitors into the quadrangle of Windsor Castle, where a military band performed, a gun salute was fired, national anthems were played, guards were inspected and the Household Cavalry paraded before the royal hosts and their guests .
Inside the castle, the royal family and their visitors viewed Nigerian items from the Royal Collection, including a Yoruba throne, sculptures, paintings and the manuscript of a poem by Sir Ben Okri .
Official gifts were exchanged, with Tinubu and his wife receiving hand crafted pottery, a silver photo frame containing a picture of the King and Queen and a silver and enamel bowl, while the Nigerian side presented a traditional Yoruba statuette and a jewellery box bearing the faces of notable Nigerian women .
At a state banquet held in his honour at Windsor Castle, Tinubu said Nigeria, as a regional power, carries a heavy responsibility for stabilising the Sahel and stressed that cooperation with the United Kingdom is critical to achieving lasting peace .
He said West Africa faces complex terrorism challenges rooted in the Sahel and noted that he looks forward to further engagements with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to strengthen security and economic cooperation .
Tinubu described the occasion as historic and said he was honoured to be the first Nigerian leader to address a gathering at Windsor Castle, which he called a symbol of continuity in governance and the evolution of democratic institutions over centuries .
He reflected on the deep historical ties between both nations, saying Nigeria and the UK share a common past and a shared vision of progress, resilience and democratic governance, and traced aspects of modern democracy to British traditions such as the Magna Carta of 1215 .
The President noted that the works of thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Edmund Burke, as well as writers such as William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens, have shaped political thought and enriched the English language, which over 1.5 billion people now speak worldwide .
He said Nigeria’s legal system, parliamentary practices and civil service structures draw significantly from British models, even though they have been adapted to local realities, and stressed that people to people links remain the strongest bridge between the two countries .
Tinubu praised the Nigerian diaspora in the UK as one of the most dynamic in the world, highlighting the contributions of Nigerian doctors and nurses in the National Health Service and noting that Nigerian trained professionals are among the largest groups of foreign staff sustaining the system .
He also pointed to cultural and sporting ties, mentioning prominent figures of Nigerian heritage such as rugby player Maro Itoje, footballers Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, and heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua as symbols of shared identity and excellence .
The President described the Commonwealth as another enduring link between Nigeria and the UK and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to its relevance and growth .
Despite security challenges in the region, Tinubu said Nigeria remains optimistic about its future, describing the country as driven by youthful energy, entrepreneurial spirit and a strong determination to realise its vast potential .
He recalled the role the UK played during Nigeria’s pro democracy struggle, saying he and many other activists found refuge in Britain during military rule and that his home in the UK was once placed under Metropolitan Police protection following threats from agents of the former regime .
Tinubu said that solidarity remains etched in Nigeria’s memory and that it is deeply humbling for him to stand before the King as President of a democratic Nigeria, while expressing gratitude to King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, the Princess of Wales and the British government for the honour and hospitality extended to him and his delegation .
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening relations with the United Kingdom on the basis of mutual respect, shared values and a common destiny, and expressed confidence that the partnership will keep growing, especially in tackling shared challenges and unlocking new opportunities for prosperity .
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