President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for deeper security cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom to address growing terrorism threats across West Africa, particularly in the Sahel region.
Speaking during a state banquet at Windsor Castle hosted by King Charles III, the Nigerian leader highlighted the scale and complexity of insecurity in the region, stressing Nigeria’s frontline role in maintaining stability.
“Our West African region faces complex terrorism challenges with roots in the Sahel. Nigeria carries an enormous responsibility to help safeguard regional stability,” Tinubu said.
He emphasised that sustained partnership with the United Kingdom would be critical in tackling the evolving security threats, signalling that the issue would feature prominently in his engagements with British officials.
The President is expected to hold talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with security cooperation among the key areas of discussion.
Tinubu’s remarks come against the backdrop of persistent security challenges in parts of northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel, where extremist groups continue to exploit porous borders and weak state presence to expand their operations.
Beyond security, the President also reaffirmed the broader relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, describing it as one rooted in shared history and mutual interests. He noted that both countries must continue to strengthen collaboration across critical sectors, including defence, trade, and development.
The state visit, the first by a Nigerian president to the United Kingdom in nearly four decades, is expected to deepen bilateral ties and open new avenues for cooperation between both nations.