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Tinubu, Starmer Ink £746m Ports Deal as Nigeria-UK Relations Deepen in London

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 19th, 2026.

LONDON — In a landmark move to strengthen Nigeria-United Kingdom ties, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday at 10 Downing Street, culminating in the signing of a £746 million export finance agreement aimed at modernising Nigeria’s key port infrastructure.

The agreement, facilitated through UK Export Finance, will focus on upgrading the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port Complex, two of the country’s busiest maritime hubs. Officials said the deal is expected to enhance trade capacity, improve transport efficiency, and stimulate economic growth. According to sources, the initiative forms part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to attract foreign investment and boost strategic partnerships with the UK.

Beyond the ports deal, Tinubu and Starmer discussed a wide range of cooperative efforts spanning trade, investment, defence, and cultural collaboration. Multiple memoranda of understanding are anticipated to follow in the coming months, reinforcing long-term bilateral relations.

During his state visit, Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, was formally received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle ,marking the first Nigerian state visit to the UK in several decades. The Nigerian delegation included senior ministers, economic advisers, and security officials, highlighting the strategic importance of the trip.

“The agreement on port rehabilitation is a major step forward in modernising our maritime infrastructure and expanding trade opportunities,” a Nigerian official told reporters, emphasizing the deal’s potential to boost economic activity and create jobs.

The visit and deal were widely covered in the UK press, including reports by The Guardian and The Nation Newspaper, highlighting Nigeria’s intent to cement stronger commercial and diplomatic ties with London.

Analysts note that the £746 million investment not only addresses critical infrastructure deficits but also signals a new era of partnership, with the potential to position Nigeria as a regional trade and logistics hub.