Tinubu targets £746m port expansion deal on state visit to UK

President Bola Tinubu will begin a historic state visit to the United Kingdom, on Tuesday, accompanied by his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, expected to witness the signing of a landmark £746 million financing deal between the UK Export Finance (UKEF) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Federal Ministry of Finance .

The agreement is expected to support the refurbishment of two of Nigeria’s major national maritime infrastructure – the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement, said the President and his wife would depart Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 for the State Visit, as guests of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

According to the statement, King Charles will host President Tinubu and his wife at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19, 2026.

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The state visit is the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. President Tinubu is also the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British Monarch at Windsor Castle.

The statement recalled that Nigeria and the United Kingdom share deep history of ties and a special bond.

“The purpose of this visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for collaboration on issues such as immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

“While at Windsor Castle, Their Majesties will invite the President and the First Lady to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria. Later, the King and the President will hold private discussions and meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally”, the statement noted.

The Royal Family will host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian guests in the evening.

President Tinubu will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, which will lead to expanded bilateral engagement between senior officials of the two countries.

The meeting will also culminate in the signing of other Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.

The President will also be the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, showcasing modern arts and culture, and will also attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and the diaspora community.

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

Others include Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Culture and Creative Economy; Bosun Tijjani, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence, and Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser; Mohammed Mohammed, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, is also expected to join the President’s entourage

The statement stated that President Tinubu would return to the Country at the conclusion of the State Visit.