Ex-UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair visits Tinubu ahead of inauguration, details of their discussions emerge

Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has visited the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

Blair met with Tinubu at the Defence House ahead of next week’s Monday swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect.

In attendance at the meeting were Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima.

Revealing the purpose of the visitation, Tinubu said the visit was to discuss mutual interests between Nigeria and the Tony Blair Institute for Good Governance, an institute owned by the former UK Prime Minister.

Tinubu made this known in a statement on his official Twitter account (@OfficialBAT).

I received former British Prime Minister and founder Tony Blair Institute for Good Governance, Mr Tony Blair, at the Defence House, Abuja, earlier today. We discussed areas of mutual interests and how Nigeria can continue to benefit from the amazing work of the Institute. pic.twitter.com/UbdVitkRaN

— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) May 23, 2023

He tweeted, “I received former British Prime Minister and founder of the Tony Blair Institute for Good Governance, Mr Tony Blair, at the Defence House, Abuja, earlier today.

“We discussed areas of mutual interest and how Nigeria can continue to benefit from the amazing work of the Institute.”

The former Lagos State governor will be sworn in as the 16th President of Nigeria on May 29 at Eagle Square, Abuja.

Also expected at the nation’s seventh transition ceremony are past presidents, diplomats, heads of international organisations, prominent Nigerians, and representatives of foreign governments and agencies.

The inauguration programmes will begin on Thursday with the investiture of Tinubu as Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic and the Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shettima, as Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.

Representatives of Nigeria’s traditional allies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, China, Germany, Finland, Jamaica, Japan, Israel, Turkey, and several others are expected at the high-profile event