King Charles III Receives Tinubu, First Lady with Full Military Honours at Windsor Castle.

By Ahmed Musa

President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu received a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, beginning the first state visit by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. King Charles III hosted the Nigerian delegation with full military honours, including a 42-gun salute by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Prince William and Princess Catherine met the Tinubus before the royal procession to Windsor Castle. The visit includes a state banquet, viewing of Royal Collection items related to Nigeria, and wreath-laying at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb. Tinubu will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday.

Highlights of the Visit.

• The 42-gun salute and full military honours underscore the significance of Nigeria-UK diplomatic relations.
• Tinubu becomes the first Nigerian leader to be hosted at Windsor Castle, marking a historic diplomatic milestone.
• The visit strengthens bilateral ties on trade, security, and governance ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
• First Lady’s engagement with the Church of England highlights cultural and religious diplomacy.
• The reception follows King Charles’s recent hosting of the Nigerian diaspora, signalling deepened engagement.
• Tinubu’s meetings with Starmer and diaspora leaders on Thursday will focus on translating royal hospitality into concrete economic and security agreements.

On Thursday, Tinubu is expected to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as well as members of the Nigerian community abroad, according to the official schedule.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, a Christian pastor, is set to preach at London’s Lambeth Palace – the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury – on Thursday and meet representatives of the Church of England.

Missing from the official schedule is the traditional meeting between the visiting head of state and the British opposition.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who is of Nigerian descent, has repeatedly publicly criticised the country she was raised in over corruption and violence.

The last Nigerian state visit to the UK took place in 1989, although Tinubu was received by Charles in September 2024.

Before the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022, Charles also visited Nigeria four times as Prince of Wales.