Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said, his state visit to the United Kingdom (UK) last week was “about the future” of the country, and “not about history”.
King Charles III of the UK welcomed the Nigerian President at Windsor Castle in the first State visit by the Leader of the most populous country in Africa in virtually four (4) decades.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla received the President alongside his wife and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in Windsor, Western London, as artillery fired salutes.
President Tinubu said, he made the move to the UK to bolster partnership in key sectors such as “trade, investment and jobs” for Nigerians.
On X, President Tinubu said: “Last week in the United Kingdom, we took important steps to deepen a partnership that has stood the test of time.
“But this visit was not about history. It was about the future. Trade. Investment. Jobs. Opportunities for our people.”
Last Wednesday, over 1,000 soldiers were out in force for the diplomatic show of soft power by the Royal Family.
The Nigerian Leader expressed gratitude to the King for the welcome, and said, following the agreements signed, both sides are working towards a relationship that will “deliver real value” to the people of Nigeria.
President Tinubu posted: “Thank you, Your Majesty King Charles III, and the good people of the United Kingdom, for the welcome.
“Thank you, Your Majesty King Charles III, and the good people of the United Kingdom for the welcome.”
Describing the visit as “historic”, London made known, Nigerian companies, including banks, are strengthening operations and creating hundreds of jobs in the UK.
Later, President Tinubu met with Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the UK and members of the Nigerian community abroad, according to the official schedule.
The last Nigerian state visit to the UK happened in 1989.
Photo: King Charles III of the UK and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria hold hands; closely followed by Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and UK’s Queen Camilla; and the UK’s Catherine, princess of Wales and the UK’s Prince William, prince of Wales at Windsor Castle | Aaron Chown/AFP
