Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has highlighted the positive take homes of the recent State Visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom.
The President, alongside the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, were guests of the British Monarchy for two days – March 18th and 19th.
The President also had a high-level governmental meeting with the Bitish Prime Minister, Keer Stermer, at Downing Street, the seat of the British government.
Speaking Monday in Abuja, Amb Odumegwu-Ojukwu said that the significance of the historic state visit was not lost on global strategists.
According to the minister who played important roles during the visit, full compliments of British hospitality were on display in honour of President Tinubu and the first Lady, while the royal family remained such superb hosts at Windsor Castle.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a statement by Dr. Magnus Eze, her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, explained that the high level diplomatic recognition signifies a strategic reset in bilateral ties focusing on economic, trade, and security cooperation.
The visit, hosted by King Charles III, resulted in key deals, including a £746 million port partnership, and strengthened ties across trade, security, and technology.
Discussions also revolved around strengthening security cooperation and emphasized joint efforts against terrorism and instability, digital border management, addressing both nations’ shared interests in regional security, as well as implementing the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) to move beyond historical ties toward a modern economic alliance.
Also, bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave President Tinubu a great opportunity to present Nigeria’s reform story and highlight the vast investment opportunities emerging across key sectors such as mining, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, fintech, amongst others, bolstering Nigeria’s image and strengthening its role as a key African partner for the UK.
The minister further said that the history and culture of Nigeria took global stage during the visit.
At the Tate Modern, where an exhibition on the theme: ‘Nigeria’s Modernism,’ was staged, the creativity and resilience of Nigerians was on full display. It was definitive as they reinvented the images of the past into modern history.
At the event, President Tinubu celebrated the industry of Nigerians who are contributing significantly to the growth and development of the creative sector of the country.
According to the minister, the President said “this exhibition is a testament to revolution. It tells the story of a generation of Nigerian giants, who in the middle of the 20th century refused to be despised but chose to define themselves.”
He praised the creative ingenuity of Nigerians, who have created a timeless and enduring body of work through the fusion of the ancient and the modern.
The UK Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, who organised the reception, welcomed the Nigerian President and First Lady, emphasising the strong strategic partnership and cooperation between the UK and Nigeria.
President Tinubu became the fifth Nigerian leader and was the first in 37 years to be honoured with a state visit by the British Crown.
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