Tinubu’s Presidential Inauguration: The US, UK, Canada, India Delegates Reach Nigeria For Swearing-In

Delegations from around the world have arrived in Nigeria to attend the swearing in ceremony of president-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday.

A nine-member delegation from the U.S., led by Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Marcia L. Fudge, arrived Sunday.

The official Twitter handle of U.S. Mission Nigeria tweeted a photo of the arrival and wrote, "Welcome to Nigeria! We are excited to receive the delegation from @POTUS Biden."

The Indian delegation, led by the defense minister Rajnath Singh, also arrived in Nigeria on Sunday.

"On 28 May 2023, Hon. Defence Minister of India, H.E. @rajnathsingh arrived at Abuja, Nigeria, as a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of India to attend the Swearing-in Ceremony of the President-elect of Nigeria," the official Twitter account of High Commission of India, Abuja, wrote alongside photos of the minister being welcomed.

"As India continues to enhance its engagements in Africa, the visit of Defence Minister Singh to Abuja marks a significant step in deepening the bilateral relationship between India and Nigeria, setting the stage for a new chapter of cooperation and partnership between the two nations," an Indian government official told Daily Sun.

A delegation from the Canadian Government, led by Ahmed Hussen, who serves as the minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion of Canada also arrived in Nigeria.

The Twitter handle of the Canadian high commission shared, "Canada in Nigeria is delighted to welcome The Honorable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, to Nigeria, for the presidential inauguration ceremony of President-Elect, H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR."

While no photos of the minister were shared on social media, the official press release disclosed Hussen will be in Nigeria from May 27 to May 29 for the inauguration ceremony.

According to multiple sources, the United Kingdom's delegation also arrived in Abuja on Sunday afternoon, comprising the Special Envoy of King Charles.

The delegation is led by the Minister of State for Development and Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Andrew Mitchell, the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Nigeria and Special Envoy on Girls' Education Helen Grant, and the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery.

The inauguration ceremony of the president-elect will be attended by more than 65 world leaders.

A Nigerian official revealed on May 18 that the federal government has invited more than 54 countries in Africa, adding that "we don't expect less than 65 world leaders from Africa, Europe, and America at the event."

According to the official, representatives of several countries, including France, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, China, Germany, Finland, Jamaica, Japan, Israel, and Turkey will also attend the event.