King Charles III on Wednesday hosted President Bola Tinubu and First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, at a state banquet in Windsor Castle.
The event was part of activities marking Tinubu’s two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, which is expected to boost bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
The British monarch, delivering his speech in St George’s Hall, expressed his admiration for Nigeria’s rise, its people, and the nation’s influence in the UK.
He even closed with a flourish in Nigerian Pidgin that drew smiles from guests, saying, “Naija No Dey Carry Last!” (Nigerians Never Come Last), as he proposed a toast to the President and people of Nigeria.
Here are 10 highlights from his speech:
Nigeria has arrived
Reflecting on his 2018 visit and earlier trips, the King said Nigeria “hasn’t merely changed… it has arrived.”
He described Nigeria as a nation of over 230 million people, half under 18, full of “energy, ingenuity, ambition and resolve” to tackle global challenges.
Afrobeats, Nollywood, and Premier League stars
King Charles highlighted how Nigerian culture has enriched Britain, from Afrobeats in concert halls to Nollywood on screens.
He also mentioned Nigerian stars competing in the Premier League and adjudicating in courts.
The monarch said, “From Afrobeats filling our concert halls and Nollywood captivating our screens, to stars competing in our Premier League and adjudicating our highest courts, so much of Britain’s culture is, in truth, profoundly enriched by Nigeria.”
Nigeria as interfaith example and global leader
Praising Nigeria’s model of peaceful coexistence among faiths, he referenced support for Nigeria’s Quick Reaction Forces and aid in Northern Nigeria.
“This afternoon, I witnessed one such example of how we are learning from one another when we met leaders of the British Christian and Muslim communities.
“The gathering was a deeply meaningful symbol of what Nigeria has long shown: that people of different faiths can, do, and must live alongside one another, in peace, in harmony and in shared purpose,” King Charles said.
He described Nigeria as an “economic powerhouse, a cultural force and an influential diplomatic voice.”
Painful history between the two nations
The King addressed the “shadow” of shared colonial history.
“There are chapters in our shared history that I know have left some painful marks. I do not seek to offer words that dissolve the past, for no words can.”
He, however, emphasised learning from history to build a better future.
Jollof rice
King Charles might have admitted Nigerians make the best Jollof rice in Africa, but he was diplomatic.
He shared a light-hearted anecdote about hosting a “rather lively group” of young Nigerians for a “Jollof and Tea” party at St. James’s Palace last week, joking diplomatically about the eternal Jollof debate.
“I was firmly assured that the Jollof was only the best: Nigerian, of course… or perhaps Ghanaian or Senegalese. Diplomatically, I cannot remember!”
Economic ties — Nigeria as UK’s biggest export market in Africa
The King highlighted growing investments, including Nigerian banks operating in the City of London, companies listing on the London Stock Exchange, and expanding tech partnerships.
He noted Nigeria became the UK’s biggest export market in Africa in January 2026, with mutual tourism spending hitting £178 million each way in 2024.
“I was pleased to see that visitors from Nigeria spent £178 million in Britain in 2024, and 251,000 people from Britain travelled to Nigeria and spent just as much, in return.
“In January of this year, Nigeria became the United Kingdom’s biggest export market in Africa and whilst I hear that in Nigeria the phrase ‘Made in U.K.’ has always symbolised the highest quality, it evidently now has a distinctively Nigerian flavour,” he said.
Commonwealth pride and Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo wisdom
Quoting Yoruba (“rain does not fall on one roof alone”), Hausa (“when the music changes, so does the dance”), and Igbo (“Knowledge is never complete; two heads are better than one”) proverbs, the King endorsed expanding intra-Commonwealth trade and Nigeria’s central role.
He agreed with President Tinubu that the Commonwealth’s time “has come.”
Partnership of equals with deep spiritual bonds
The King described UK-Nigeria relations as a “partnership of equals” and a “deeply spiritual connection, beyond churches and mosques.”
He said the ties strengthen shared security, prosperity, and hope for the future.
Living bridge of Nigerians in the UK
He celebrated over half a million Nigerians and people of Nigerian heritage thriving in Britain.
He described them as a “living bridge,” enriching UK culture across sectors including business, technology, academia, law, science, sport, literature, arts, and public service.
‘Naija no dey carry last’
King Charles ended his speech with the popular Pidgin phrase, declaring, “Naija No Dey Carry Last!” to applause and laughter.
(Punch)
