Olamilekan Abayomi
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Lagos to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with Muslim faithful, following a historic two-day state visit to the United Kingdom. He arrived at the Abuja airport at 1:15 am on Friday, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and was received by Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and other dignitaries .
The President’s visit to the UK was significant, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. During his trip, he met with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and secured a £746 million deal to refurbish two major ports in Lagos. Tinubu emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UK, highlighting shared values of progress and resilience.
Tinubu will join Muslim faithful at the Dodan Barracks prayer ground on Friday morning to mark Eid-el-Fitr. In his Eid message, he urged Nigerians to embody the values of Ramadan, including piety, empathy, and unity.
The President’s UK visit included a state banquet hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle, where he reviewed a guard of honor and received a 42-gun salute. Tinubu also engaged with Nigerian diaspora and business leaders, discussing trade and investment opportunities.
The visit was marked by royal engagements, economic discussions, and renewed diplomatic ties. Tinubu highlighted the significance of the visit, noting that it comes at a crucial time for Nigeria’s economy. “We are determined to reposition our economy through strategic partnerships such as this,” he said.
The UK-Nigeria deal is expected to boost maritime capacity and support economic growth. Tinubu emphasized the importance of stronger cooperation between both countries, stating that Nigeria remains ready to deepen its partnership with the UK in trade, investment, and shared prosperity.
The President’s visit has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some expressing skepticism about the potential benefits. However, analysts view the visit as an opportunity to advance strategic interests and strengthen bilateral relations.
