President Bola Tinubu arrived in Lagos early on Friday after a two-day historic visit to the United Kingdom. He will join other Muslim faithful later in the day to mark Eid-el-Fitr.
The president and his wife, Remi Tinubu, landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 1:15 a.m.
He was received at the tarmac by Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat, chief of staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila, the wife of the governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and APC stalwarts.
As part of his Eid-el-Fitr programme in Lagos, the President will pray at the Dodan Barracks Eid prayer ground on Friday morning.
In his sallah message, Mr Tinubu enjoined Nigerian Muslims to rededicate themselves to the noble teachings of the holy month, which emphasises piety, empathy, and unity among humanity.
“We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this. We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion beyond this period,” he said.
Before his departure from London, Mr Tinubu met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street, where the two countries agreed to a £746 million deal to refurbish two major ports in Lagos.
The president described his state visit to the United Kingdom, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years, as “very thrilling and significant” in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
“We can not forget the institutional development we have enjoyed over the years,” the Nigerian leader said at Downing Street ahead of bilateral talks.
He noted that discussions covered trade, the economy, climate change, terrorism, and wider global challenges. Mr Tinubu and his wife were hosted by King Charles III to a state banquet at Windsor Castle, where he said that Nigeria and the UK shared more than just history.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla earlier received Mr Tinubu and his wife at the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle. Mr Tinubu reviewed the guard of honour and was treated to a 42-gun salute by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
