President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has been accorded a grand ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle, marking the start of his state visit to the United Kingdom—the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
Tinubu, accompanied by his wife, Oluremi, received a 42-gun salute from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery upon arrival. Earlier, Prince William and Princess Catherine greeted the Nigerian first family and formally presented them to King Charles and Queen Camila at the royal residence.
During the two-day visit, King Charles will host Tinubu and Oluremi, featuring exchanges of gifts and a showcase of Nigerian items preserved in the Royal Collection. The visit will culminate in an evening state banquet at St George’s Hall, where both leaders are expected to deliver speeches to a gathering of political figures and notable Nigerians in the UK.
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As Tinubu is observing Ramadan, there will be no traditional luncheon with the King. The president and his wife will also lay a wreath at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel. Additionally, the couple is scheduled to meet organisations promoting interfaith dialogue—a key issue as Nigeria faces increasing security challenges.
Earlier on Monday, suspected terrorist attacks in Borno State claimed 23 lives and left 108 others injured, following bomb explosions at a major market, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate, and the Post Office flyover. Tinubu expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and instructed Nigerian security officials to relocate to Maiduguri to strengthen response measures.