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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delivered a historic and deeply thoughtful speech at a state banquet hosted in his honor at Windsor Castle by King Charles III, reaffirming the enduring ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The President, while charting a forward-looking partnership rooted in shared values, democracy and mutual progress, asserted the need for stronger security cooperation with the nation’s former colonial master, just as he lauded the impact of diaspora Nigerians in the United Kingdom.
Speaking to an audience that included Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, Tinubu described the royal banquet as a “profound honour”.
He said his speech was the first by a Nigerian leader at the historic Windsor Castle, an enduring symbol of British continuity and institutional evolution spanning almost a millennium.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation for the warmth shown to him, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Nigerian delegation, underscoring the deep historical and cultural ties that unite both countries.
“It is a profound honor to stand before you today, representing the people of Nigeria, as we reaffirm the enduring bonds of friendship, history and shared purpose that have united our two nations for several centuries,” he said.
Reflections
Drawing on history, President Tinubu highlighted Britain’s vital role in shaping modern democratic governance, referring to the historic Magna Carta as the cornerstone of the rule of law and parliamentary democracy.
He noted that the philosophical contributions of thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Edmund Burke helped propagate the ideals of freedom, responsible government, and civic responsibility that have continued to resonate globally.
According to him, Nigeria’s institutional framework reflects these enduring influences.
“Our courts draw on legal traditions rooted in English common law. Our parliamentary institutions reflect constitutional practices that have evolved here over centuries,” he said.
The president also recognized Britain’s literary heritage, citing the works of William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens as instrumental in shaping the English language, now spoken by more than 1.5 billion people around the world.
He said the Nigerian diaspora in the UK represents a dynamic and indispensable link between the two nations, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare.
He said: “Nigerian professionals make up one of the largest contingents of international medical staff in the UK National Health Service, contributing significantly to service delivery.”
Impacts of Nigerians in the UK
The President celebrated the achievements of Nigerians and people of Nigerian descent in sports, citing figures such as Maro Itoje, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Anthony Joshua as symbols of the enduring human bond between the two countries.
“Our people remain the strongest bridge between our two countries,” he said.
Addressing regional challenges, President Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s critical role in safeguarding stability in West Africa amid persistent terrorist threats from the Sahel.
He underlined the importance of deepening security cooperation with the United Kingdom and revealed his intention to enter into further discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Commonwealth of Nations, describing it as a “vital platform” connecting 56 countries under the leadership of the British monarch.
“As one of the largest nations in the Commonwealth, Nigeria looks forward to contributing constructively to the continued growth and vitality of this global community,” he said.
Trip during military dictatorships
President Tinubu also reflected on his personal journey during the years of Nigeria’s military dictatorship, recalling how the United Kingdom provided him with refuge and protection during his pro-democracy activism.
“Like many Nigerians involved in the struggle for democracy, I found security here… that solidarity remains etched in our collective memory,” he said.
He added that it is deeply humbling to now stand before the British monarch as the president of a democratic Nigeria.
He expressed confidence in the continued growth of the Nigeria-UK relationship, anchored in mutual respect, shared destiny and commitment to progress.
The £746 million ports deal
In a related development, President Tinubu held high-level talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Thursday, as both countries moved to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen economic cooperation.
A statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, indicated that the engagement is expected to lead to the signing of several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering trade, investment, defense and cultural partnerships.
A highlight of the visit is a £746 million funding deal involving UK Export Finance, the Nigeria Ports Authority and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The agreement will support the rehabilitation of two major maritime facilities – the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex – as part of efforts to modernize Nigeria’s transport and trade infrastructure.
The statement noted that the discussions underline Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with the United Kingdom, attracting foreign investment and promoting infrastructure-led economic growth.
The Nigerian delegation included Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu.
Also present were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defense, Christopher Musa; National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, and Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
Crucial visit for the economy
Meanwhile, Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has lauded President Tinubu’s global diplomatic engagement, describing the ongoing three-day state visit to the United Kingdom as “vital to Nigeria’s economic growth”.
Governor Radda, speaking to London-based Nigerian journalists on the sidelines of the President’s visit, expressed optimism that the mission will attract significant investment in key sectors.
He said: “President Tinubu is visiting major countries in the world to strengthen Nigeria’s international relations. Here in the UK, we expect to see huge investment opportunities in the agricultural, mining and energy sectors where Nigeria has huge potential.”
The governor said the strategic partnership will help the country unlock its economic strength with the momentum to move forward.
Governor Radda particularly emphasized that the administration’s focus is on economic prosperity through foreign direct investment.
“Our aim is to see our booming economy, investment growth and inflow of foreign direct investment into Nigeria,” he said.
The governor lauded Tinubu’s consistent diplomatic efforts since he took office; and hailed the Nigerian leader for breaking the shackles of the country’s long visit to the UK.
He recalled that the last state visit made by a former president was in 1989, when former president Ibrahim Babangida visited the Queen.
“The President has visited many countries and built strong relationships. These collaborations and partnerships strengthen our growth and development,” he said.
