By Peter Omopo
Britain’s monarch, King Charles III, hosted members of the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom on Wednesday evening at a reception ahead of the planned state visit of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu.
The pre-visit gathering, organised at an undisclosed royal venue in the United Kingdom, brought together members of the Nigerian community and featured Nigerian cuisine and music performances.
According to a post shared by The Royal Family on its official X account on Thursday, the event included jollof rice and live music performed by Dele Sosimi and the Afrobeats Orchestra.
The royal household described the gathering as a “wonderful evening,” thanking members of the Nigerian diaspora who attended the reception ahead of the upcoming visit.
President Tinubu and Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, are scheduled to visit Britain as guests of King Charles and Queen Camilla from March 18 to March 19, 2026.
The visit will mark the first state visit to Britain by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. The last such visit occurred in 1989 when former Nigerian military president Ibrahim Babangida was hosted by the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II for four days.
Ahead of the visit, British authorities have announced extensive security measures around Windsor Castle. Thames Valley Police said airspace restrictions over Windsor would be extended on March 18 from 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. to ensure security during the state visit.
Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall of the police Joint Operations Unit said armed officers, search teams, mounted units, road policing teams and Project Servator resources would be deployed across Windsor.
Authorities also confirmed that road closures and parking restrictions will begin on March 17, with possible temporary traffic disruptions expected in and around Windsor during the visit.
