London, United Kingdom – When Nigerian President Bola Tinubu arrives in the UK this week, the visit will carry more than ceremonial significance. It is the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to Britain in 37 years.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host Tinubu and first lady Oluremi Tinubu at Windsor Castle from Wednesday to Thursday.
The last Nigerian state visit took place in 1989 when then-military ruler Ibrahim Babangida met Queen Elizabeth II. “It’s the first time since Nigeria returned to democracy [in 1999] that a democratically elected Nigerian head of state is being afforded this honour by the British monarchy,” said Ikenna Okonkwo, data integrity lead at Nigerian intelligence consultancy SBM Intelligence.
The visit comes as both countries seek to deepen economic cooperation. Nigeria is one of Britain’s most important African partners; trade between the pair was worth more than 8 billion pounds ($10.6bn) in the year to October. In 2024 they signed a trade and investment partnership aimed at expanding business opportunities.
Among the UK’s Nigerian community, reaction is mixed. London-based business owner Monica, who asked Al Jazeera to withhold her surname, said she was sceptical the visit would bring tangible change. “What is he [Tinubu] coming here for? He needs to sort out the issues at home,” she said, pointing to economic difficulties and violence in parts of the country. “Look at the state of the economy in Nigeria.”
A country under pressure
Tinubu, a trained accountant and former Mobil oil executive in his 70s, took office in May 2023 after a tightly contested election. Early in his presidency he implemented sweeping economic reforms intended to stabilise the economy and attract foreign investment, but those measures also pushed up the cost of living.
“The country has been dealing with a lot – from security concerns to economic pressures,” Okonkwo said. “Ending the fuel subsidy and changing the currency regime created significant hardship for many Nigerians because it pushed inflation very high.”
Security is another major challenge. Armed groups and banditry affect several regions, and instability across the Sahel has increased pressure on West African states. “There are perennial issues around power supply, the cost of living and security,” Okonkwo added.
What leaders hope to achieve
Policymakers view the visit as an opportunity to advance strategic interests. Kabir Adamu, managing director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Ltd in Abuja, said some see it as a chance to reset relations after Britain’s departure from the European Union. Discussions are likely to focus on expanding the trade and investment partnership and cooperating on security, migration policy and climate financing.
“The UK secures deeper commercial access to Africa’s largest market,” Adamu said. “At the same time, Nigeria gains essential foreign direct investment and security backing to stabilise its domestic economy.”
Tinubu is expected to pitch his administration’s macroeconomic reforms to attract British investment into sectors like mining, energy and the creative industries. Adamu warned talks could also touch on sensitive issues, including UK immigration rules affecting Nigerian students and workers, debates over human rights, and the repatriation of historical artefacts.
“A successful visit would produce tangible outcomes,” he said, “such as trade agreements, commitments from British companies to invest in Nigerian infrastructure and stronger security cooperation.”
Oil, investment and global politics
Energy may figure prominently in discussions. Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer, though output has fluctuated in recent years due to pipeline theft and security problems in the Niger Delta. The government has been trying to increase production to meet demand. Okonkwo noted that in a volatile global energy market, West African producers like Nigeria become increasingly relevant.
Beyond oil, Nigeria is seeking investment in manufacturing, infrastructure and power generation as it tries to diversify its economy. “One of the biggest obstacles to investment has been insecurity,” Okonkwo said. “There are also ongoing questions around governance and corruption that international partners will be paying attention to.”
The ‘foundational’ diaspora factor
The Nigerian diaspora in the UK is an important bridge between the two countries. Official figures show more than 270,000 people in the UK were born in Nigeria. Adamu described the diaspora as “foundational” to bilateral ties: they drive remittances, act as a source of soft power and serve as a cultural bridge.
Remittances support families back home, and many migrants follow political and economic developments closely. Okonkwo noted that some in the diaspora have grown increasingly critical of the government. “A large number of Nigerians have moved to the UK in recent years because of the deteriorating situation at home,” he said. He added that engagement with diaspora organisations — not just elites — would be important during the visit.
Diplomacy and expectations
The ceremonies at Windsor Castle will showcase British pageantry while signalling London’s interest in relations with Africa’s largest economy. Analysts say success will be measured in concrete results.
“If the trip produces real investment commitments and stronger security cooperation,” Adamu said, “then it will have achieved something meaningful.”
For some Nigerians in the UK, however, the test lies beyond photo opportunities. “Tinbu is just here to drink tea with the king. They’ll sit down, take a few pictures and then go back,” said Goodwin, a business owner. “For him [Tinubu], it’s about saying, ‘While I was president, I dined with the king.’ That’s all that matters to him. Nigerians don’t matter.”