Edupreneur Editorial TeamTinubu and wife set for historic UK state visit in March
President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to undertake a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom from March 18 to 19, 2026, following an official invitation from King Charles III.
The visit was confirmed on Sunday through a post on the official X account of the British royal family, which stated that Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, will be formally hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, has accepted an invitation from His Majesty the King to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom from Wednesday, 18th March, to Thursday, 19th March, 2026. The King and Queen will host the state visit at Windsor Castle,” the statement read.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, highlighted that this will be the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years. He said, “First state visit of a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years confirmed. President Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu to be hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla from 18th March to 19th March, 2026.”
The last Nigerian head of state to undertake a state visit to the UK was former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida in 1989, who was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II for four days. During that visit, Gen Babangida conferred Nigeria’s highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, on the late monarch. Previous Nigerian leaders, including Gen Yakubu Gowon and President Shehu Shagari, also conducted state visits to the UK and were hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.
State visits are often described as instruments of soft-power diplomacy, combining ceremonial hospitality with efforts to strengthen international relations.
Tinubu and King Charles, who both assumed office in May 2023, have met on several occasions prior to the planned visit.
In November 2023, the Nigerian president met the monarch in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, ahead of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), calling the engagement an important step toward deepening bilateral relations. In September 2024, King Charles also received Tinubu at Buckingham Palace during a private meeting.
