Britain’s monarch, King Charles III, has commended Nigeria’s growing global influence, culture, and resilience during a state banquet held in honour of Bola Ahmed Tinubu at Windsor Castle.
The event formed part of President Tinubu’s official two-day visit to the United Kingdom, aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between both nations.
Speaking at the banquet, King Charles expressed admiration for Nigeria’s progress, describing the country as a vibrant and youthful nation driven by energy, innovation, and ambition. Reflecting on his past visits, he noted that Nigeria “has not merely changed… it has arrived,” highlighting its emergence as a major global player.
The monarch praised Nigeria’s cultural impact on the UK, pointing to the global rise of Afrobeats music, the growing popularity of Nollywood films, and the achievements of Nigerians across sectors including sports, law, and entertainment.
He also commended Nigeria’s example of religious coexistence, emphasizing how people of different faiths continue to live and work together in peace. According to him, such unity offers lessons to the rest of the world.
Addressing the historical ties between both countries, King Charles acknowledged the painful aspects of their shared colonial past, while stressing the importance of learning from history to build a stronger future.
On the lighter side, the King joked about the long-standing debate over which country makes the best Jollof rice, recalling a recent gathering with young Nigerians. While he humorously avoided picking a winner, he admitted being told that Nigerian Jollof was the best.
Highlighting economic relations, he revealed that Nigeria recently became the UK’s largest export market in Africa, noting increased investments, growing tech collaborations, and strong tourism exchanges between the two countries.
The monarch further described UK-Nigeria relations as a “partnership of equals,” strengthened by shared values and a deep cultural connection. He also applauded the Nigerian diaspora in Britain, calling them a “living bridge” that continues to enrich British society across multiple fields.
Bringing his speech to a memorable close, King Charles delighted guests by using Nigerian Pidgin, declaring, “Naija no dey carry last,” a phrase that drew applause and laughter from attendees.
