President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria today, ending a nearly two-week stay abroad, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has confirmed.
In a brief post shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Onanuga stated: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today.”
Tinubu had departed Nigeria on April 2, 2025, for Paris on what was officially described as a two-week working visit. He later traveled to London, where he remained until his scheduled return.
According to the Presidency, the trip was aimed at reviewing his administration’s mid-term performance and assessing key governance milestones. Despite being overseas, Tinubu was said to have remained fully engaged with national affairs.
In a statement last Thursday, Onanuga reiterated that the President had maintained regular communication with key government officials and had issued directives on critical matters, including national security.
“The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country,” he said.
The statement also emphasized that Tinubu’s absence was in line with the earlier communicated timeframe, with his return slated for April 21, shortly after the Easter holidays.
“The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership,” the statement read. “We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption.”
However, Tinubu’s extended stay abroad has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, especially in light of rising insecurity in parts of the country, notably in Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, and Borno states.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, through his media aide Paul Ibe, accused the President of negligence amid reports of daily killings and territorial losses to armed groups.
“Tinubu is away while Nigeria burns—daily killings, attacks, and loss of territories. This is deeply troubling,” Atiku said. “Nigerians are yearning for real leadership—someone who’s present and actively engaged.”
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, also criticized the President’s absence and urged him to return immediately to take charge of the worsening security situation.
“In the two weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity,” Obi said, referencing recent attacks. “I urge Mr. President to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and rush home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues.”
In response, All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson Bala Ibrahim dismissed the criticism, insisting that the President’s physical absence did not translate to a lack of leadership.
“Simply because the President is out of the country does not mean he is not piloting the affairs of the nation,” he said. “You cannot say that a country where the Vice President is actively representing the President is in a vacuum. A country with that level of leadership engagement is not leaderless.”
As President Tinubu returns today, public attention will likely shift to how his administration responds to both security challenges and the political backlash stemming from his time abroad.
