- Tinubu and the First Lady arrived in London on Tuesday via Stansted Airport to begin the historic visit
- the President will attend a formal audience with the King at Windsor Castle
- The trip comes shortly after a deadly attack in northeastern Nigeria that claimed at least 23 lives
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, is scheduled to deliver a sermon on Thursday at Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, as part of Nigeria’s first state visit to the United Kingdom in almost 40 years.
She is also expected to hold talks with representatives of the Church of England on the same day, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
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Meanwhile, Bola Tinubu and the First Lady arrived in London on Tuesday via Stansted Airport to begin the historic visit.
According to the official itinerary, the couple will meet King Charles III on Wednesday.
They are also expected to engage with Prince William and his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, before traveling together to Windsor.
Later in the day, the President will attend a formal audience with the King at Windsor Castle, followed by a state banquet hosted in his honour.
Nigeria and the United Kingdom maintain strong ties in areas such as trade, security, and development cooperation, with London serving as a major hub for the Nigerian diaspora.
In November 2024, both countries signed a strategic agreement to deepen collaboration in economic growth, migration, and security.
Trade between the two nations has also expanded significantly, with figures reaching £8.1 billion in the year leading up to September 2025, reflecting steady growth.
During the visit, discussions are expected to cover a range of issues, including British-backed upgrades to Nigerian ports and broader economic cooperation.
The trip comes shortly after a deadly attack in northeastern Nigeria that claimed at least 23 lives.
The country has faced a prolonged insurgency since 2009, which has drawn international attention. In response to the latest violence, President Tinubu directed security officials to relocate to Maiduguri and take control of the situation.
On Thursday, Tinubu is also expected to meet Keir Starmer, as well as members of the Nigerian community in the UK.
While such visits typically include meetings with opposition leaders, that element does not appear on the current schedule.
The last time a Nigerian leader paid a state visit to the UK was in 1989, although Tinubu previously met King Charles in September 2024.
Before ascending the throne, King Charles had visited Nigeria multiple times during his tenure as Prince of Wales, reflecting long-standing ties between both nations.
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