British monarch King Charles III has given his impressions of Nigerians and Nigeria’s place in the Comity of nations.

He spoke during a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday night in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife First Lady Oluremi.

He described Nigeria as an indispensable partner in shaping the future of the Commonwealth and global commerce.

The monarch sparked a playful debate during the royal banquet with his description of Nigerian jollof rice as the best.

He joked about hosting a recent “Jollof and Tea” party

Beaming with smiles, King Charles toasted with “Naija no dey carry last,” blending diplomacy with cultural pride.

He said: “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!

“But who could have imagined that, when I first visited Nigeria thirty-six years ago today, so many of those I might have met would have gone on to have such an impact in the United Kingdom”.

Reliving memories of his encounters with some Nigerian monarchs when he visited the country, he said: During my most recent visit to Nigeria in 2018, when I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time with your highly respected traditional leaders, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife, the Obi of Onitsha, the Olu of Warri and The Emir of Kano, it was self-evident that while the warmth of the Nigerian welcome remains constant, the country itself is transforming at a remarkable pace”.

King Charles emphasised that strengthening intra-Commonwealth trade through harmonised standards, regulatory alignment and removal of investment barriers would unlock vast economic opportunities for both nations.

He said: “As we look towards the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting this year, I hope… we can demonstrate that the Commonwealth’s time has come. In achieving that, my wife and I will gain strength from seeing Nigeria take her rightful place at the heart of the Commonwealth and standing alongside you as a friend who believes the future is best when built together”, the King said.

Highlighting the United Kingdom–Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, the monarch noted that both countries are already laying the foundation for a more integrated economic future, anchored on shared systems, cultural ties and longstanding diplomatic relations.

King Charles described Nigeria as “an economic powerhouse, a cultural force and an influential diplomatic voice,” stressing that its leadership within the Commonwealth carries both responsibility and opportunity in a rapidly-changing global environment.

He pointed out that Nigeria’s large and youthful population of over 230 million people – with half under 18 – positions the country as a critical driver of innovation, enterprise and solutions to global challenges.

The monarch also underscored the deepening economic ties between both nations, noting that Nigerian businesses are increasingly investing in the UK, with leading banks establishing operations in London and top companies listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

According to him, UK Export Finance is supporting investments in Nigeria’s ports, while partnerships between British and Nigerian technology firms continue to expand.

Providing further insight into bilateral economic exchanges, King Charles noted that visitors from Nigeria spent £178 million in the UK in 2024, while about 251,000 Britons travelled to Nigeria, spending a comparable amount.

He said: “In January this year, Nigeria became the United Kingdom’s biggest export market in Africa,” adding that the longstanding reputation of British goods in Nigeria is now complemented by a growing Nigerian imprint on UK commerce and culture.

Beyond trade, the King paid glowing tribute to Nigerians in the diaspora, describing them as a “living bridge” of over half a million people whose contributions have enriched British society across sectors including business, healthcare, academia, sports and the creative industries.

From Afrobeat music dominating global charts to Nollywood films gaining international recognition, he noted that Nigerian culture has become deeply embedded in British life.

“We are blessed that so many people of Nigerian heritage… are now at the heart of British life,” he said, reliving his interactions with young Nigerians who have excelled through initiatives such as the King’s Trust.

Acknowledging that historical ties between both countries are not without painful chapters, King Charles stressed the importance of learning from the past to build a future anchored on hope, cooperation and shared prosperity.

“I do not seek to offer words that dissolve the past… but I do believe that history is a lesson in how we go forward together,” he said.

The monarch also highlighted ongoing collaboration in security and humanitarian support, including assistance to Nigeria’s Quick Reaction Forces and interventions in northern Nigeria to address food security and community protection challenges.

King Charles and President Tinubu had earlier met with Christian and Muslim leaders in the UK, an engagement he described as symbolic of Nigeria’s long-standing example of religious coexistence and harmony.

Invoking African proverbs to underscore his message, the King stressed the importance of unity and adaptation in a changing world, noting that both nations must “learn new dance steps together” to remain competitive globally.

He closed with an extension goodwill to Muslims observing Ramadan and wished Nigerians a joyous Eid-el-Fitr in advance.

He then raised a toast to Nigeria and its people, ending on a note of admiration: “Naija no dey carry last.” (The Nation)

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