King Charles III Celebrates Nigeria's Cultural Influence

On Wednesday, King Charles III hosted President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at a state banquet at Windsor Castle, marking Tinubu's two-day state visit to the United Kingdom. In his speech at St.

George's Hall, King Charles expressed admiration for Nigeria's growth and cultural contributions, noting the nation's population of 230 million and its vibrant cultural sectors, including Afrobeat and Nollywood. He highlighted Nigeria's status as the UK's largest export market in Africa as of January 2026 and projected mutual tourism spending to reach £178 million in 2024.

King Charles acknowledged the historical ties between the UK and Nigeria, emphasizing the need to learn from history to build a better future. He also humorously referenced the ongoing debate over the best jollof rice, affirming Nigeria's culinary excellence.

The King concluded his speech with a popular Nigerian pidgin phrase, "Naija no dey carry last," which resonated with the audience, reflecting the deep cultural connections between the two nations.