Posted by Samuel on Thu 19th Mar, 2026 - tori.ng
The king, his wife and members of his family and council received the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, who are on a state visit to the United Kingdom at the Windsor Castle on Thursday.
On Wednesday, King Charles III of the United Kingdom referenced several proverbs from the Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba cultures.
He also talked about Nigerian Jollof rice, as he discussed how the West African country has transformed.
The king, his wife and members of his family and council received the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, who are on a state visit to the United Kingdom at the Windsor Castle on Thursday.
He noted that Nigeria is transforming at a remarkable pace, adding, “Nigeria hasn’t merely changed. It has arrived.”
He noted that the United Kingdom is blessed with many people of Nigerian heritage, who have chosen Britain as their home and are excelling at the highest levels of business, technology, academia, law science, sport, literature, arts and public service.
“Only last week, I was delighted to host a rather lively group of them for a ‘Jollof and Tea’ Party, at St. James’s Palace. I was firmly assured that the jollof was only the best: Nigerian, of course… or perhaps Ghanaian or Senegalese. Diplomatically I cannot remember!” He said.
“From Afrobeats filling our concert halls and Nollywood captivating our screens, to stars competing in our Premier League and adjudicating our highest courts, so much of Britain’s culture is, in truth, profoundly enriched by Nigeria.
“Whether they are Nigerians who have chosen Britain as their adopted place to invest, trade or study, or Britons who cherish their personal connection to Nigeria, they all represent a living bridge of over half a million people who connect our nations, Mr President, and help make our cultures richer, our shared security stronger and our economies more prosperous,” the king said.
The king pointed out that the friendship between the two countries is a partnership of equals that has brought them both enormous benefits.
Speaking further, King Charles described Nigeria as an economic powerhouse, a cultural force and an influential diplomatic voice from a continent that is playing an increasingly important role in the world.
“In a vastly interconnected global environment, one that is changing at unimaginable speed, that leadership brings responsibility – and opportunity. I heed the Yoruba wisdom – and forgive me if I say it in English… that ‘rain does not fall on one roof alone,'” he said.
He added: “As the world changes, these are lessons we must heed now more than ever. As the Hausa saying goes, ‘when the music changes, so does the dance’.
“My wife and I will gain strength from seeing Nigeria take her rightful place at the heart of the Commonwealth and to standing alongside you as a friend, who believes the future is best when built together. As the Igbo say, ‘Knowledge is never complete, two heads are better than one’.
“Let me propose a toast:
“To the President and people of Nigeria –
“Naija No Dey Carry Last!”