Tinubu holds talks with UK PM Starmer, witnesses £746m ports deal signing
2026-03-19 - 13:03
President Bola Tinubu met with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Monday in a high-level bilateral engagement aimed at strengthening Nigeria-UK relations and boosting economic collaboration. According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the meeting will culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements spanning trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation. A major highlight of the visit is the signing of a £746 million financing deal between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance. The agreement will fund the refurbishment of two critical maritime infrastructures: the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex, supporting Nigeria’s ambitions to modernize key transport and trade infrastructure. The statement emphasized that the engagements reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties, attracting foreign investment, and driving infrastructure-led economic growth. Earlier, President Tinubu and the First Lady were received by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle as part of the state visit. The Nigerian delegation accompanying President Tinubu included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, Minister of Information and National Orientation Idris Mohammed, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu. Other key officials present were Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani, Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa, National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Mohammed Mohammed. The visit is widely seen as a strategic effort to reinforce economic partnerships, expand trade opportunities, and enhance security and cultural cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.