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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday delivered a historic address at Windsor Castle, where he highlighted Nigeria’s democratic journey, his personal experience during the pro-democracy struggle, and the enduring relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Speaking at a state banquet hosted by King Charles III, the Nigerian leader expressed gratitude for the support he received while in exile during the military era, recalling how British authorities protected him at a time of significant personal risk.

Tinubu used the occasion to highlight the depth of Nigeria–UK relations, describing the partnership as one rooted in shared history, democratic values and strong people-to-people connections.

He also highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the UK, particularly in addressing regional security challenges and driving economic growth.

The President pointed to the contributions of Nigerians living in the United Kingdom, noting their impact across sectors including healthcare, business, technology and the creative industries, which continue to reinforce ties between both nations.

Here is President Bola Tinubu’s Full Speech

Your Majesty, King Charles III,
Queen Camilla,

Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall, and Catherine, the Princess of Wales,

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a profound honour to stand before you today, representing the people of Nigeria as we reaffirm the enduring bonds of friendship, history, and shared purpose that have united our two nations for several centuries.

Allow me first to express my sincere appreciation to Your Majesty and to Her Majesty, The Queen for the warmth and generosity extended to me, my wife, Oluremi, and the Nigerian delegation.

As the first Nigerian leader to speak here at Windsor Castle, which has served the British Crown for nearly a millennium, is particularly historic.

Windsor has stood as a symbol of continuity, witnessing the steady evolution of institutions that have shaped governance, culture, and public life not only in Britain but far beyond these shores.

Nigeria and the United Kingdom have shared more than just history; our two nations share a vision of progress and resilience.

Today, we continue that journey, committed to building a future rooted in partnership, mutual respect, and common values. Standing here in Windsor Castle, one cannot help but reflect on Britain’s impact on modern democratic governance worldwide.

The Magna Carta of 1215 laid the early foundations for the rule of law and the development of parliamentary democracy, establishing enduring ideals around liberty, accountable government, and civic responsibility.

Great British thinkers and writers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Edmund Burke helped to propagate those democratic ideals. Their influence continues to resonate to this day.
The literary genius of William Shakespeare and other writers such as Charles Dickens, has enriched and shaped the English language, spoken by over 1.5 billion people worldwide.

In Nigeria, elements of these traditions continue to inform the institutional foundations of our own republic. Our courts draw upon legal traditions rooted in English common law. Our parliamentary institutions reflect constitutional practices that evolved here over centuries. Our civil service structures have also drawn upon administrative models developed in Britain and adapted to Nigeria’s own national context. While institutions matter greatly, our people remain the strongest bridge between our two countries.

The Nigerian community in the United Kingdom has become one of the most dynamic diaspora communities worldwide. Nigerians contribute enormously to the vitality of this nation. Within the National Health Service, Nigerian doctors and nurses play an indispensable role in delivering healthcare. Nigerian-trained doctors are among the largest groups of international medical professionals serving the NHS.

In sport, rugby players such as Maro Itoje, footballers including Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, and champion boxer Anthony Joshua, illustrate the remarkable human connection that links Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Our partnership is further strengthened through the Commonwealth of Nations, which connects 56 countries under Your Majesty’s leadership. As one of the largest nations within the Commonwealth, Nigeria looks forward to contributing constructively to the continued growth and vitality of this global community.

Our West African region faces complex terrorism challenges with roots in the Sahel. Nigeria carries an enormous responsibility to help safeguard regional stability. In confronting these threats, partnership with the United Kingdom remains essential and I look forward to my meeting with Prime Minister Kier Starmer tomorrow.

Despite these challenges, Nigeria approaches the future with hope and confidence. We are a nation of diverse and vibrant people, of young people dreaming big, of entrepreneurs with a global outlook, and of a hopeful people determined to realise their full potential.
Your Majesty, I am confident that the friendship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom will continue to grow.

Finally, Your Majesty, I wish to express Nigeria’s deep gratitude to this great nation for the refuge and support it extended during the dark years of military dictatorship. Like many Nigerians involved in the pro-democracy struggle, I found safety here, and I recall that my residence was placed under Metropolitan Police surveillance for protection following threats from agents of the junta.

That solidarity remains etched in our collective memory, and it is deeply humbling for me to stand before Your Majesty today as the President of a democratic Nigeria.
On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, I thank Your Majesty, Her Majesty The Queen, Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, other members of the Royal Family, and the people of the United Kingdom for their longstanding friendship.

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has affirmed that Senegal retains the right to challenge the controversial decision that stripped it of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, stressing that no country will receive preferential treatment.

Motsepe stated this in a video interview published by CAF on Wednesday, addressing the fallout from the disputed AFCON 2025 final between the Senegal national football team and the Morocco national football team.

“And I’m told that Senegal is going to appeal, which is very important. Every one of the 54 nations in Africa has a right to pursue their appeals and advance their interests, not only at the highest level in Africa, in CAF, but also at the highest body, which is the Court of Arbitration for Sport. And we will adhere to and respect the decision that’s taken at the highest level,” he said.

Motsepe acknowledged that the controversy surrounding the final had undermined confidence in African football.

“I’ve been informed of the ruling by the CAF Appeals Board concerning the appeal by Morocco relating to the AFCON-Morocco 2025 final match, and I previously expressed my extreme disappointment with the incidents that took place at the final match.

“The important thing of what happened in that final match is it undermines the good work that CAF has done over many years to ensure that there’s integrity, that there’s respect, that there’s ethics, that there’s governance, as well as credibility of the results of our football matches,” he said.

READ ALSO: Stripping Senegal Of AFCON Title A ‘Disgrace For Africa’ — Fans

The CAF president described the situation as part of a longstanding credibility challenge within African football, adding that concerns over officiating and governance predate the 2025 final.

“The occurrences at the final match are part of the issues we are still dealing with concerning suspicion and distrust. It’s a legacy issue.

“When I became president, one of the major concerns was the impartiality, the independence and the respect of referees and match commissioners. A lot of good work has been done, but there continues to be suspicion because it’s a legacy issue,” he said.

Motsepe added that the controversy has also brought renewed scrutiny to the independence of CAF’s judicial bodies.

“Another important matter that these incidences brought to the fore is the independence and the respect of our judicial bodies,” he said.

Explaining reforms under his leadership, the president said CAF had adopted a new approach in appointing members of its judicial bodies.

“We, in choosing the members of our judicial bodies, followed a different path from what had been the case before. We invited each member association and each of the six zones in CAF to submit names of respected judges and lawyers,” he said.

Motsepe stressed that the credibility of decisions remains central to the organisation’s reforms.

“It is important that the decisions of our disciplinary board and the CAF appeals board are viewed with the respect and integrity that’s very important to us. But we will still have to deal with perceptions and concerns about integrity. It’s an ongoing issue. The CAF disciplinary board took one decision. The CAF appeals board took a totally different position,

“A critical factor is that not a single country in Africa will be treated in a manner that is more preferential or more advantageous or more favourable than any other country on the African continent,” he said.

READ ALSO: Senegalese Govt Calls For Probe Into AFCON Decision

Motsepe added that the African football body has commenced internal reviews following the final, emphasising that public trust would ultimately determine the legitimacy of CAF’s decisions.

“We take what has happened at the final match in Morocco during the TotalEnergies CAF Morocco 2025 very seriously. We have already started very important steps to address the identified deficiencies and ensure the necessary resolutions are passed.

“It is important for us that ordinary football supporters and spectators in every one of the 54 countries in Africa, in their judgement, not CAF’s judgement, regard the decisions of our judicial bodies as fair, with integrity and impartiality,” he said.

AFCON Title Strip

CAF overturned the outcome of the AFCON 2025 final, stripping Senegal of the title and awarding a 3–0 victory to Morocco after upholding an appeal by the Moroccan football federation.

The decision followed findings that Senegal violated Article 82 of CAF regulations during the match, resulting in forfeiture.

Senegal had originally won the final 1–0 on 18 January 2026, courtesy of an extra-time goal by Pape Gueye.

However, the match was marred by controversy after Senegalese players walked off the pitch for approximately 15–20 minutes in protest of a penalty awarded to Morocco.

CAF subsequently ruled that the walk-off constituted a breach of regulations, leading to the reversal of the result.