NEWS ANALYSIS: Why Tinubu’s state visit is important to United Kingdom — by Chris Adetayo

Today, King Charles will play host to President Bola Tinubu. The first State Visit between both countries in over 3 decades. The frenzy of activities ahead of the visit on both sides is eye-popping.

But why now? Why is the UK rolling out the red carpet for the Nigerian President?

The short answer is France.

Since he took office nearly 3 years ago, Tinubu has quietly turned the direction of Nigeria’s key European partnership towards the children of Napoleon. In that time, he has visited France no less than 8 times and met with the French President at least 5 times. These include a State Visit, Official Visits and Private Visits. Pictures and videos of each visit are splashed around for all to see.

Beyond the visits to France, or indeed as a result of it, Nigeria’s relations with France has never been any stronger or cordial. For over 5 decades, both countries held each other at arms length. Suspicion was mutual, with France seeing Nigeria as its greatest competitor for influence in the Francophone-heavy West Africa; and vice versa. France even backed Biafra during the Civil War, in the hope that the balkanisation of Nigeria will reduce its influence in Africa.

But now, trade between both countries is booming. Bilateral partnership is much stronger. With France losing much of its influence in Francophone West Africa, it has been all too happy to court and befriend Nigeria. The latter too is happy to find support with France as it deals with its challenging economic and security situation. In essence, both sides need each other and found each other.

As Nigeria-France relationship gets ever stronger, the Nigeria-UK relationship had seemingly become a footnote. With the UK dealing with its own economic and demographic problems, especially after Brexit, its focus has been eastwards, to China and to India. To the countries that can help its economy. Nigeria does not feature in that priority list. The UK does not even pretend to care about Nigeria’s long running security problems.

Not until someone in the FCDO woke up to the reality of what was happening. The reality that Nigeria, long considered “under the British sphere of influence”, is now France’s favourite African partner. Surely the UK cannot allow France to usurp its place where Nigeria is concerned.

To remedy things, the UK has put out its Ace card. A Royal Visit. Pageantry – the one thing it still does better than most, one that gets most nations and leaders giddy.

Well, as President Tinubu enjoys the formal hospitality of King Charles and The Firm today, here’s hoping that the visit will deliver much more than colourful pictures and bland promises. There’s so much both nations can offer each other!