Tinubu Omits Kemi Badenoch From UK State Visit Itinerary

Bola Tinubu’s official schedule for his two-day state visit to the UK does not include a meeting with Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch. This breaks the usual protocol of meeting both the prime minister and the opposition leader. On March 18, Tinubu met King Charles III, Queen Camilla and various interfaith groups before attending a state banquet. He is set to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street on March 19, but Badenoch—though present at the banquet—has no private meeting scheduled. Of Nigerian descent, Badenoch has publicly criticized Nigeria’s governance and security. Nigerian officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, have rebuked her remarks. A spokesperson for Badenoch says she is not seeking to promote a more favourable image of Nigeria. Observers note that excluding the opposition leader from formal talks departs from diplomatic norms and could influence UK–Nigeria relations.

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