Buhari Heads To London, To Attend King Charles Coronation

The President, Muhammadu Buhari, is set to depart for the United Kingdom to attend the coronation of King Charles III.

The President will also participate in a summit for presidents and heads of government of Commonwealth countries on Friday.

The announcement was made by Buhari's spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a statement on Wednesday. According to Adesina, the President will leave for London on Wednesday and the coronation is slated for Saturday, May 6.

"The Commonwealth Secretariat will take advantage of the gathering of leaders in London to host a Commonwealth Summit for Presidents and Heads of Government of Commonwealth countries on Friday, May 5.

"President Buhari is billed to participate in the Summit which will deliberate on the Future of the Commonwealth and the Role of the Youth, the statement read partly.

The President will be accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen Babagana Monguno (Rtd); the Director General, National Intelligence Agency, (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Abubakar; the Chairperson of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and other senior government officials.

In September 2022, King Charles III was proclaimed as Britain’s new monarch following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at the age of 96.

President Buhari had previously met with King Charles III in November to foster Nigeria’s bilateral relationship with the United Kingdom. The President had said the current monarch "speaks very well of Nigeria and wants the relationship to continue and if possible improve."