King Charles hails 'partnership of equals' with Nigeria at state banquet

King Charles III on Wednesday praised Britain's "partnership of equals" with Nigeria as he hosted a banquet for President Bola Tinubu during the first state visit by the leader of Africa's most populous nation in nearly four decades.

The banquet in the historic Windsor Castle west of London saw Charles and Queen Camilla host Tinubu and his wife as well as Nigerian officials, bankers and business people and sports stars and cultural figures with Nigerian heritage. Britain and the former British colony have a "deep bond" and a "partnership of equals that has brought them both enormous benefits," the king said in his opening speech."

The two nations share a vision of progress" based on "mutual respect and common values", Tinubu told the king in his speech, stating he was the first Nigerian leader ever to speak at Windsor Castle.