The Federal Government has addressed criticisms surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom, describing some of the commentary as either misinformed or deliberately mischievous.
According to Channels TV on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, speaking to international media in the UK, said the visit reflects the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
“We know that Nigeria has had its own fair share of criticism about some of those policies that were instituted back home, some of them arising from a lack of adequate knowledge and some out of sheer mischief,” Idris said.
He added that the visit is strategically important, highlighting the “historic and strategic relationship Nigeria and the United Kingdom… a relationship that is built on deep diplomatic, economic, cultural, and democratic ties.”
According to the minister, “For decades, our two countries have maintained a partnership that spans trade, education, security cooperation, cultural exchange, and shared democratic values.
“President Tinubu’s visit provides an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration across critical areas, including trade and investment, security cooperation, climate action, education, and technological innovation.
“It also reflects Nigeria’s growing importance as a key democratic and economic partner in Africa, and a responsible participant in global affairs.”
Idris explained that the engagement with the media was intended to provide clarity on Nigeria’s policies over the past three years.
“So, as communicators, we thought that it is important, regardless of whatever position anyone may have taken, to go through some of these programmes and policies…and then interact with you.
“Where you have questions, we take them; where you seek clarifications, we provide. Where we need to take some advice from you, we’ll also take and get back home,” he said.
President Tinubu is expected to arrive in the UK on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, for the state visit, which formally begins on Thursday, March 19. He and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, will be hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, marking the first time a Nigerian leader will receive such a state honour at Windsor rather than Buckingham Palace.
Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said the visit will “showcase the enduring relationship between Nigeria and the UK and further deepen cooperation between both countries.”
Tinubu will become the fifth Nigerian leader to be honoured with a UK state visit, following Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Yakubu Gowon, Shehu Shagari, and Ibrahim Babangida.
