A video showing the moment His Majesty King Charles III officially spoke in Yoruba to welcome President Bola Tinubu of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, during a state visit to the United Kingdom (UK) has surfaced on social media.
eelive.ng understands that the state visit, scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19, 2026, will be hosted by the King and Queen at Windsor Castle and will mark the first such visit by a Nigerian leader in 37 years.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, as part of the Nigerian delegation for the two-day diplomatic engagement.
In the video, which has become a sensation, the king is seen struggling to say the Yoruba word, ”Ekabo.”
Watch video here;
The last Nigerian state visit to the UK took place in 1989, when the military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida, travelled to meet the late Queen Elizabeth II for a four-day trip.
State Visits represent one of the highest levels of diplomatic exchange between nations, typically featuring ceremonial honours, official talks and efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
The forthcoming visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both countries to reaffirm ties and explore avenues for cooperation across political, economic and cultural sectors.