Nigerians spent £178m in UK as 251,000 Britons visited Nigeria – King Charles
King Charles III has revealed growing economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, highlighting that Nigerian visitors spent £178 million in Britain in 2024, while 251,000 British travelers visited Nigeria and spent a similar amount.
The British monarch disclosed this during a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday in honour of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
King Charles said the figures reflect strengthening economic and people-to-people connections between both countries, stressing that investment is now flowing both ways.
“Your visit has provided the opportunity to celebrate the fact that Nigeria is investing in Britain’s future as much as Britain is investing in Nigeria’s,” the King said.
The monarch noted that leading Nigerian banks have established a presence in the City of London as global bases, while top Nigerian firms have listed on the London Stock Exchange.
He also pointed to British financial backing for Nigerian infrastructure, particularly support from UK Export Finance for investments in Nigeria’s port sector.
According to him, partnerships are also expanding in education and technology, with British universities increasing their presence in Nigeria and technology firms from both countries strengthening collaboration.
King Charles further revealed that Nigeria became the UK’s largest export market in Africa in January 2026, underlining the country’s growing economic importance.
