President Bola Tinubu and King Charles III have reaffirmed the strong security and economic ties between Nigeria and the UK, as the British monarch hailed Nigeria’s impact on the UK’s showbiz scene.
A state banquet was held for Mr Tinubu upon his arrival in the UK on Wednesday at Windsor Castle in England.
Speaking at the event, Mr Tinubu, the first Nigerian leader to address guests at the castle, described the relationship between the two nations as “rooted in partnership, mutual respect, and common values”.
Mr Tinubu mentioned that Nigeria has a big role in maintaining “regional stability” and noted the importance of partnering with the UK to help in fighting terrorism.
Mr Tinubu highlighted the economic relationship between both countries, referring to the collaboration through the Commonwealth and Nigerians’ contribution to its growth.
He praised the Nigerians living in the UK, highlighting the contributions of doctors, nurses, athletes, and entertainers, including stars of the Premier League, rugby, and boxing.
“Nigerian-trained doctors are among the largest groups of international medical professionals serving the NHS. In sport, rugby players such as Maro Itoje, footballers including Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, and champion boxer Anthony Joshua,” he said.
The Nigerian leader noted that the real connection between the two countries lies in the people.
“While institutions matter greatly, our people remain the strongest bridge between our two countries,” he said.
King Charles III, in turn, celebrated the impact of Nigerians in Britain, from Afrobeats concerts and Nollywood films to achievements in business, law, science, and public service.
“From Afrobeats filling our concert halls and Nollywood captivating our screens, to stars competing in our Premier League and adjudicating our highest courts, so much of Britain’s culture is, in truth, profoundly enriched by Nigeria,” the British monarch said.
He also highlighted Nigerians’ investments in London’s financial sector and partnerships between the two countries.
“Nigeria is investing in Britain’s future as much as Britain is investing in Nigeria’s, leading Nigerian banks have chosen the City of London as a global base, examples of the best Nigerian companies have listed on London’s Stock Exchange, and UK Export Finance is supporting investment in Nigeria’s ports,” he said.
He noted that in 2024, Nigerians spent £178 million in the UK, while 251,000 British visitors travelled to Nigeria, highlighting the growing economic relationship between Nigeria and the UK.
“In January of this year, Nigeria became the United Kingdom’s biggest export market in Africa, and whilst I hear that in Nigeria the phrase ‘Made in UK’ has always symbolised the highest quality, it evidently now has a distinctively Nigerian flavour,” he said.
