Nigeria's Tinubu begins historic UK state visit as public concerns mount

Record ID: 2366536

  • Title: Nigeria's Tinubu begins historic UK state visit as public concerns mount
  • Date: 17th March 2026
  • Summary: PEOPLE WALKING ON STREET (SOUNDBITE) (English) BUSINESSMAN, HUNWI SESHEWE, SAYING: "If the visit is going to be of good goals and development for the country is okay, but if it is not then I feel like we should face the one that we are currently going through because it is not easy." PEOPLE WALKING MAN RIDING BICYCLE / VEHICLE DRIVING PAST  (SOUNDBITE) (English) LAGOS RESI
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: diplomacy government palace royal visit tinubu trip voxpops
  • Location: LAGOS AND ABUJA, NIGERIA
  • City: LAGOS AND ABUJA, NIGERIA
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Africa,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA002480517032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Nigerians expressed cautious optimism on Tuesday (March 17) as President Bola Tinubu began a two-day state visit to Britain, the first by a Nigerian leader in nearly four decades, with many hoping the trip will yield economic benefits despite domestic hardship.
    Newspaper headlines across Lagos and Abuja trumpeted the historic nature of the visit, with reports indicating Tinubu would sign memorandums of understanding on trade, investment and defence with British officials.
    On the streets of Lagos, businessman Hunwi Seshewe said the visit would only be worthwhile if it delivered tangible development. "If it is not then I feel like we should face the one that we are currently going through because it is not easy," he said.
    Others saw the visit as an opportunity to reset UK-Nigeria relations. Publisher Yusuf Omeiza said there had been "lapses" in the relationship and Tinubu needed to "normalize or familiarize himself with them."
    The last Nigerian presidential state visit to Britain was in 1989 under military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida.
    (Production: Abraham Achirga, Kazeem Sanni, Angela Ukomadu)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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