Tinubu, wife, others depart Nigeria for UK state visit

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday departed Abuja for a state visit to the United Kingdom, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.

The Airbus A330 conveying the President and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at approximately 10:00 am.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had on Monday disclosed that the President and the First Lady would be guests of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.

The visit will feature a state banquet hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian guests, and private discussions between the King and the President.

The last Nigerian state visit to the United Kingdom was in 1989 when President Ibrahim Babangida visited during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit.

Members of the President’s entourage include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.

Others are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.

Also on the trip are Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.); National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.