President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged that the friendship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom will continue to grow, highlighting centuries of shared history, values, and collaboration between the two nations.
Delivering a speech at a state banquet in his honour at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, for the warm reception extended to him, his wife Oluremi, and the Nigerian delegation.
“This is a profound honour,” President Tinubu said. “As the first Nigerian leader to speak at Windsor Castle, a site that has stood as a symbol of continuity for nearly a millennium, I am deeply aware of the historic significance of this moment.”
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President Tinubu noted that Nigeria and the United Kingdom share more than history. “Our two nations share a vision of progress and resilience. Today, we continue that journey, committed to building a future rooted in partnership, mutual respect, and common values,” he said.
Reflecting on the UK’s influence on governance, President Tinubu highlighted the impact of the Magna Carta of 1215 and the works of British thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Edmund Burke. He emphasized that these democratic ideals have informed Nigeria’s own legal and parliamentary institutions, noting the adoption of English common law in Nigerian courts and constitutional practices modeled on British systems.
“The strongest bridge between our countries remains our people,” he said. President Tinubu praised the Nigerian diaspora in the UK, particularly doctors and nurses serving in the National Health Service, and highlighted contributions in sports by figures such as rugby player Maro Itoje, footballers Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, and boxing champion Anthony Joshua.
The president also pointed to Nigeria’s role within the Commonwealth of Nations and its responsibility to ensure regional stability in West Africa, particularly in addressing terrorism challenges originating from the Sahel. “In confronting these threats, partnership with the United Kingdom remains essential,” he said, ahead of meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
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President Tinubu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, citing the nation’s vibrant youth, growing entrepreneurial class, and resilient people. He also acknowledged the UK’s support during Nigeria’s military dictatorship, recalling personal protection he received while living in exile.
Concluding his speech, President Tinubu toasted the enduring ties between the two nations: “To the special bond between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, and to the bright future that we shall build together. God bless His Majesty The King. God bless Nigeria. God bless the United Kingdom.”
