President Bola Tinubu has concluded his two-day state visit to the United Kingdom without holding a formal meeting with the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch.
During the visit, President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu engaged in a series of high-level diplomatic activities, including meetings with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle, where discussions centred on interfaith cooperation and bilateral relations.
The Nigerian leader also held talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, focusing on trade, investment, and strategic partnerships between both nations.
However, despite longstanding diplomatic conventions that often see visiting leaders engage opposition figures, there was no scheduled interaction between Tinubu and Badenoch throughout the visit. She was also not formally introduced during events held at St George’s Hall.
Badenoch, a British politician of Nigerian heritage, has in recent times made critical remarks about Nigeria, including claims about negative personal experiences with law enforcement. Her comments have drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
Vice President Kashim Shettima had earlier cautioned Badenoch against making statements perceived as denigrating to Nigeria, further fuelling public debate over her stance on her country of ancestry.
The state visit featured a high-profile Nigerian delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and several cabinet ministers and top security officials.
The visit also attracted members of the Nigerian diaspora and notable personalities such as Tiwa Savage and British-Nigerian rugby star Maro Itoje.
President Tinubu’s trip was largely aimed at deepening bilateral relations and repositioning Nigeria-UK ties towards a modern economic partnership anchored on trade, investment, and shared strategic interests.
