President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, were welcomed at Windsor Castle on Wednesday with a full military reception, marking the start of a historic state visit to the United Kingdom, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
The couple were greeted by a 42-gun salute from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Earlier, Prince William and Princess Catherine presented the Nigerian first family to King Charles and Queen Camila.
During the two-day visit, Tinubu and Oluremi will take part in exchanges of gifts, view Nigerian items in the Royal Collection, and attend a state banquet in St George’s Hall. Both President Tinubu and King Charles are scheduled to deliver speeches at the evening event, which will include political leaders and figures with links to Nigeria.
As Tinubu is observing Ramadan, he will not participate in a traditional lunch with the King. The couple are also set to lay a wreath at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II in St George’s Chapel.
The visit comes as Nigeria continues to face security challenges. On Monday, suspected terrorists detonated bombs in Maiduguri, targeting a main market, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate, and the Post Office flyover. Borno State police confirmed 23 deaths and 108 injuries. President Tinubu mourned the victims and instructed security chiefs to deploy to Maiduguri.
