Nigerian President to Visit UK in March

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu will visit the United Kingdom in March 2026. This is the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years. The visit is hosted by King Charles III and will happen at Windsor Castle.
By Newsroom | Politics, International Relations |

President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to embark on a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom in March 2026, following an invitation from King Charles III. This visit marks the first state visit by a Nigerian president to the UK in 37 years, signifying a notable moment in the diplomatic relations between the two nations. The event is slated to take place from March 18 to March 19, with accommodations at Windsor Castle.

Context

The announcement of President Bola Tinubu's upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom was made by Buckingham Palace, with official confirmations appearing across multiple news outlets in early February 2026. The visit is scheduled for March 18 and 19, 2026, and will include the participation of Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

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  • Invitation Source: The visit is extended at the behest of King Charles III.

  • Host Location: President Tinubu and the First Lady will be hosted at Windsor Castle.

  • Historical Significance: This visit is highlighted as the first state visit by a Nigerian president to the UK in 37 years. The last such visit was by Ibrahim Babangida during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

  • Royal Interest: King Charles III has expressed a fondness for Nigerian culture, including Pidgin English and Afrobeats music, and has had prior engagements with President Tinubu.

  • Previous Engagements: President Tinubu and King Charles III, who both assumed office in May 2023, have met on several occasions, including a meeting in Dubai in November 2023 ahead of the COP28 conference. These meetings have focused on deepening bilateral relations and discussing matters of shared priority.

  • Diplomatic Tool: State visits are described as a means of soft-power diplomacy, employing royal ceremony and hospitality to strengthen ties with key international partners.

  • Logistical Note: The visit to Windsor Castle is noted as being due to ongoing renovations at Buckingham Palace.

  • Recent UK State Visits: The UK's most recent state visit prior to this announcement was for the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in December 2025.

  • UK-Nigeria Relations: The visit occurs against a backdrop of strengthening diplomatic and economic links. A strategic partnership on economic, immigration, and security matters was concluded in November 2024, and an economic cooperation agreement was signed earlier in 2024. Trade between the UK and Nigeria reached £8.1 billion in the year to September 2025, an increase of 11.4% year-on-year. Nigeria is also a significant recipient of UK development aid and hosts a large Nigerian diaspora.

  • Current Affairs in Nigeria: The West African nation has been facing internal security challenges, including a jihadist insurgency in the northeast and armed criminal gangs in other regions.

Key Participants and Dates

RoleName
Host MonarchKing Charles III
Host ConsortQueen Camilla
Visiting PresidentBola Tinubu
Visiting First LadyOluremi Tinubu
Visit DatesMarch 18-19, 2026
VenueWindsor Castle, United Kingdom

State Visits as Diplomatic Instruments

The concept of state visits is consistently framed across reports as a significant element of international diplomacy.

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  • Soft Power: The BBC and other outlets describe state visits as a form of soft-power diplomacy. This involves leveraging royal ceremony and hospitality to cultivate stronger relationships with important global partners.

  • Elevating Occasions: Such visits are designed to elevate the significance of the occasion and underscore the respect with which the visiting nation is regarded by the UK.

  • High-Level Discussions: Beyond ceremony, state visits facilitate high-level discussions on matters of mutual interest, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties.

  • Demonstrating Importance: The deployment of such diplomatic tools is seen as a way for the monarchy to demonstrate the importance it places on its relationships with other nations.

Royal Ties and Cultural Appreciation

King Charles III's personal connection to Nigeria is frequently mentioned as a relevant aspect of this state visit.

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  • Longstanding Connections: The King is noted to have longstanding ties to Nigeria.

  • Cultural Affinity: He has openly expressed his fondness for Nigerian culture, specifically mentioning Pidgin English and Afrobeats music.

  • Prior Royal Visits: Before ascending the throne, Charles visited Nigeria four times as the Prince of Wales.

  • Youth Initiatives: The King's Trust International, formerly the Prince's Trust, commenced operations in Nigeria in 2023, focusing on programs to address youth unemployment.

Economic and Security Cooperation

The backdrop to this state visit includes an emphasis on the deepening economic and security cooperation between the UK and Nigeria.

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  • Trade Volume: Bilateral trade has seen a notable increase, reaching £8.1 billion in the year leading up to September 2025. This represents an 11.4% year-on-year increase.

  • Formal Agreements: A strategic partnership aimed at enhancing cooperation on economic, immigration, and security matters was concluded in November 2024. This followed an economic cooperation agreement signed earlier in 2024.

  • Development Aid: Nigeria, as a populous African nation and a major economy, is also a significant recipient of development aid from the UK.

  • Diaspora Presence: The presence of a large Nigerian diaspora in the UK is another factor contributing to the strong bilateral relationship.

Expert Analysis

While official statements focus on the diplomatic and ceremonial aspects, some reporting touches upon underlying motivations and perceptions.

"This state visit is not because Tinubu is successful and effective in solving Nigeria's problems, but because he has been very good at selling out Nigeria to their advantage." - Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf (opinion expressed within an article, not presented as factual analysis).

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This statement, though an opinion, suggests that differing interpretations of the visit's impetus may exist. The prevailing official narrative emphasizes mutual benefit and strengthened diplomatic ties, as evidenced by the focus on trade and security agreements.

Conclusion

The planned state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom from March 18-19, 2026, represents a significant diplomatic event. It is framed by both nations as an opportunity to deepen bilateral relations through ceremonial engagement and high-level discussions. The visit is notable for being the first of its kind for a Nigerian president in 37 years and highlights existing cultural appreciation and economic partnerships between the two countries. Further details regarding the specific program of engagements are expected to be released by Buckingham Palace in due course.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will President Tinubu visit the UK?
President Tinubu will visit the UK from March 18 to March 19, 2026.
Q: Who invited President Tinubu?
King Charles III invited President Tinubu for the state visit.
Q: Is this the first visit of its kind?
Yes, this is the first state visit by a Nigerian president to the UK in 37 years.
Q: Where will the President stay?
The President will stay at Windsor Castle during his visit.