Tinubu to fulfill King Charles in Nigeria’s first state go to in 37 years

President Bola Tinubu can pay a state go to to the UK in March 2026, marking Nigeria’s first such go to to the UK in 37 years.

The disclosure was made by the British Royal Household in an announcement printed on its official X (previously Twitter) account late Saturday, February 7, 2026.

The go to, which can see Tinubu and First Woman Oluremi Tinubu hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, comes amid bettering diplomatic and financial relations between each nations.

In line with the Royal Household, the Nigerian chief shall be within the UK from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19, 2026, the place he shall be acquired with full state honours.

State visits are uncommon diplomatic occasions and are sometimes reserved for nations thought-about strategically vital companions.

What they’re saying

The Royal Household stated President Tinubu accepted an invite from King Charles III to undertake the state go to, which shall be hosted at Windsor Fort.

The go to is anticipated to characteristic conventional ceremonial occasions in addition to engagements reflecting the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the UK.

• “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by the First Woman, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has accepted an invite from His Majesty The King to pay a State Go to to the UK from Wednesday, 18th March to Thursday, nineteenth March 2026.”
• “The King and Queen will host the State Go to at Windsor Fort.”

This improvement seems to be the primary time a Nigerian civilian or army chief shall be accorded a state go to to the UK since 1989, underscoring the symbolic significance of the engagement.

Extra Insights

State visits to the UK sometimes contain elaborate ceremonial actions and high-level diplomatic engagements. These typically embody a guard of honour, carriage processions, state banquets, and closed-door conferences between leaders to debate strategic pursuits.

• The final Nigerian state go to to the UK occurred in 1989 when army ruler Basic Ibrahim Babangida met with the late Queen Elizabeth II throughout a four-day journey. Earlier visits have been recorded in 1973 by Basic Yakubu Gowon and in 1981 by the late President Shehu Shagari.
• Though this shall be President Tinubu’s first official state go to to the UK, he has beforehand met King Charles since assuming workplace in 2023. Tinubu met the monarch in November 2023 forward of the twenty eighth United Nations Local weather Change Convention (COP28) in Dubai and was additionally acquired at Buckingham Palace for a non-public assembly in September 2024.

Whereas the total agenda for the March 2026 go to has not been disclosed, state visits sometimes coincide with political discussions and bilateral engagements alongside ceremonial occasions.

Why it issues

State visits are a key instrument of soft-power diplomacy, utilizing royal protocol and symbolism to strengthen political, financial, and cultural ties between nations. For Nigeria and the UK, the go to displays renewed engagement constructed on shared historical past and evolving strategic pursuits.

• Commerce between the UK and Nigeria was valued at over £8 billion as of October 2025, making Nigeria one of many UK’s most vital companions in Africa.
• The connection helps cooperation in safety, together with efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s capability towards regional terrorism.

Bilateral ties additionally prolong to schooling, migration, vitality, and local weather motion.

The go to indicators Nigeria’s intent to deepen diplomatic engagement with key international companions whereas positioning itself as a central participant in Africa’s financial and geopolitical panorama.

What it is best to know

President Tinubu’s deliberate UK go to follows one other current high-level diplomatic engagement. In February 2026, the Nigerian chief undertook a historic state go to to Turkey, additional highlighting his administration’s deal with international relations.

• Nigeria is Turkey’s largest buying and selling accomplice in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Greater than 50 Turkish corporations at present function in Nigeria, with investments exceeding $400 million.
• Through the go to, Tinubu held bilateral talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The go to to Turkey additionally noticed the signing of 9 agreements protecting defence, vitality, safety, analysis, and different strategic sectors, reinforcing Nigeria’s push to increase worldwide partnerships alongside its upcoming state go to to the UK.