King Charles and Queen Camilla have announced the upcoming state visit of 2026, marking the first such visit for the country in nearly four decades. The monarch is set to host the president of Nigeria at Windsor Castle in a few weeks, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace. This visit will be the first state visit by a Nigerian president to the UK in 37 years and the initial state visit for King Charles in the new year.
The Royal Family released a statement via its official platform, revealing that the President of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has accepted an invitation from King Charles to embark on a State Visit to the United Kingdom from March 18th to March 19th, 2026. An aide to the President, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized the significance of this event as a pivotal moment in the relationship between Nigeria and the UK, following a strategic partnership agreement reached between London and Abuja in November 2024.
Historically, the last Nigerian head of state to visit the UK was General Ibrahim Babangida in 1989, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II. King Charles, during his time as the Prince of Wales, traveled to Nigeria on four occasions between 1990 and 2018, with Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, accompanying him on the 2018 trip.
The upcoming state visit’s detailed itinerary is yet to be disclosed, but it is expected that the Prince and Princess of Wales will have significant roles, similar to their involvement in the state visits of 2025. Traditionally, state visits in the UK include ceremonial welcomes, guard inspections, and elaborate state banquets, often held at St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle. The most recent state visit saw the King and Queen hosting the President of Germany and his wife in December.
Notably, Charles engaged in three visits last year, welcoming leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump, and the German President. This upcoming state visit is anticipated to further strengthen diplomatic ties between the UK and Nigeria.
