Photo: King Charles III in a handshake with President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu will embark on a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom in March, according to Buckingham Palace.

Military President Ibrahim Babangida embarked on the last Nigerian state visit to the UK in 1989.

The late Queen Elizabeth II had hosted Babangida for four days.

The BBC described State visits as a form of soft-power diplomacy, using the pomp of royal hospitality to strengthen relations with important international partners.

In a statement on Saturday, the royal communications team said that the forthcoming visit is at the invitation of King Charles III.

Tinubu will be accompanied by his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.

Tinubu and King Charles, both of whom assumed office in May 2023, have met on several occasions.

In November 2023, the Nigerian president met the monarch ahead of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, describing the engagement as a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday unveiled Nigeria’s National Halal Economy Strategy, a major initiative aimed at positioning the country to capture a share of the rapidly expanding $7.7 trillion global halal market and accelerate economic diversification.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the launch event held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu described the strategy as a clear signal of Nigeria’s readiness to compete in this growing sector, which leading nations worldwide have already embraced.

The plan is projected to contribute an estimated $1.5 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2027, with cumulative efforts expected to unlock over $12 billion in economic value by 2030.

Vice President Shettima emphasized the need for disciplined, inclusive, and measurable implementation to translate the strategy into tangible benefits, including job creation, increased exports, and shared prosperity nationwide.

“It is with this sense of responsibility that I formally unveil the Nigeria National Halal Economy Strategy. This document is a declaration of our promise to meet global standards with Nigerian capacity and to convert opportunity into lasting economic value,” Shettima said. “What follows must be action that is disciplined, inclusive, and measurable, so that this Strategy delivers jobs, exports, and shared prosperity across our nation.

“He announced that the strategy’s implementation committee will be chaired by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, whom he described as “supremely competent.

“Key ambitions outlined in the strategy include expanding halal-compliant food exports, building value chains in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, establishing Nigeria as a halal-friendly tourism destination, and scaling up ethical finance initiatives by 2030.

These efforts are expected to enhance food security, strengthen industrial capacity, and open doors for small- and medium-sized enterprises across the country.

Addressing concerns that the halal economy is tied exclusively to religious affiliation, Vice President Shettima clarified that it has evolved into a broader global framework centered on trust, quality, traceability, safety, and ethical production—principles that appeal to consumers, investors, and trading partners worldwide, regardless of faith.

He pointed out that advanced economies such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have integrated halal standards into their export and quality systems, becoming major producers, certifiers, and exporters of halal food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and financial products.

“The halal economy is a global market framework rooted in standards, safety, and consumer trust, not geography or belief,” Shettima noted.

The strategy stems from President Tinubu’s commitment to export diversification, foreign direct investment attraction, and sustainable job creation. It was developed in partnership with the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC)—a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund—alongside Dar Al Halal Group Nigeria, with support from the Islamic Development Bank and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa.

The collaboration builds on a bilateral agreement signed in February 2025 at the Makkah Halal Forum.

It also aligns with recent diplomatic efforts, including an agreement on halal quality infrastructure signed with Türkiye during President Tinubu’s state visit, aimed at improving standards, certification, and international acceptance of Nigerian halal products.

Minister Oduwole, speaking as the committee chairperson, highlighted the public-private nature of the initiative, involving extensive stakeholder engagement and coordination across government agencies.

She stressed Nigeria’s potential to become a key exporter of halal-certified goods, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for access to African and global markets, with participation remaining voluntary.

Alhaji Muhammadu Dikko Ladan, Chairman and CEO of Dar Al-Halal Group Nigeria, welcomed the collaboration and noted an ongoing export program with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to onboard Nigerian companies into the Saudi market and beyond, calling it a landmark opportunity for market access and foreign investment.

The French Ambassador’s representative, Carole Lebreton, expressed France’s interest in supporting Nigeria’s export ambitions in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, viewing the strategy as a bridge for stronger bilateral socio-economic ties.

The event was attended by key figures including the CEO of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni; Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Mr. Olasupo Olusi; and other senior officials.

The launch marks a strategic step in Nigeria’s push to integrate into international halal value chains while promoting inclusive economic growth through high-standard, ethical production systems.

Major Nigerian media and journalism organizations have issued a strong call to the Federal Government (FG) and the National Assembly (NASS) to take immediate legislative and regulatory action against what they describe as an existential threat posed by Big Tech companies to the country’s information sovereignty and media industry.

In a joint statement released recently, leading press bodies—including key associations representing publishers, editors, and journalists—warned that unchecked dominance by global technology giants such as Google, Meta, and others is eroding Nigeria’s control over its digital information ecosystem.

They highlighted how these platforms dominate digital advertising revenue, divert traffic from traditional news sources, and increasingly use Nigerian-generated content to train artificial intelligence models without fair compensation or permission.

The groups emphasized that the situation risks surrendering Nigeria’s information sovereignty to foreign entities, potentially undermining national security, cultural values, and the economic viability of local media houses.

They pointed to declining revenues for publishers, with some facing up to 90% drops in traffic due to AI-generated summaries and algorithmic changes on search and social platforms.

The press bodies urged lawmakers to enact robust regulations, including frameworks for content remuneration, data usage restrictions, algorithmic transparency, and mechanisms to ensure fair competition in the digital space.

They called for urgent collaboration between the executive and legislature to address these challenges before irreversible damage occurs to Nigeria’s media landscape and democratic discourse.

This appeal comes amid broader global debates on Big Tech accountability and follows Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its digital economy governance, including recent pushes toward comprehensive AI and data regulations.

Stakeholders view the statement as a pivotal moment for protecting indigenous media in an era of rapid technological disruption.

The Federal Government and National Assembly have yet to issue an official response, but the call aligns with growing concerns over digital monopolies and their impact on developing economies.

Media experts anticipate intensified discussions in the coming weeks as Nigeria navigates its position in the global tech landscape.