President Bola Tinubu has met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street in central London on Thursday, as part of his two-day state visit to the United Kingdom .
The meeting, which marks the final day of the historic visit, follows royal engagements at Windsor Castle where the President and First Lady were received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla .
The president’s state visit is the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years, since the last such visit before Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 .
According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the engagement is expected to result in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural partnerships .
A key highlight of the visit is a £746 million financing agreement involving UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance. The deal 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 modernise Nigeria’s transport and trade infrastructure .
The presidency noted that the discussions underscore Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with the UK, attracting foreign investment, and promoting infrastructure-driven economic growth .
The Nigerian delegation accompanying the President includes Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, Minister of Information and National Orientation Idris Mohammed, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu .
Also present are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the 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 Defence Christopher Musa, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Mohammed Mohammed .
The visit is seen as a strategic push to expand economic partnerships, boost trade, and enhance security and cultural cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom .
The President is expected to depart the UK today after a farewell from the royal family, concluding the historic two-day state visit .
