President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after spending four weeks in Europe on what the Presidency described as a working vacation.
Tinubu arrived in Lagos from Paris aboard Nigerian Air Force One, which taxied into the presidential wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 6:22pm on Tuesday.
Journalists at the airport were barred from taking photographs or video of the President’s arrival as the aircraft made its way to the terminal.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30, travelling first to London before proceeding to Paris, where he held a number of official engagements, including a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron. State House+1
His return brings an end to his four-week stay abroad and comes ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1.
The Presidency said Tinubu remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct the affairs of government while away. It initially announced a three-week vacation before later saying that the President had extended his stay by a few days.
Tinubu’s engagements in Paris
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu met French President Emmanuel Macron for a private dinner, where discussions focused on Nigeria-France relations and bilateral cooperation.
He also met Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group to discuss investment in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy. According to the Presidency, the discussions included plans to expand the group’s operations in Nigeria across film, entertainment and fibre-optic infrastructure.
Tinubu also witnessed the signing of agreements between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.
The projects are expected to attract an initial investment of more than $7 billion, according to the Presidency.
Absence sparks political debate
Tinubu’s prolonged stay abroad generated political debate, particularly after the Presidency announced that his vacation had been extended.
The controversy intensified when Vice President Kashim Shettima travelled to New York to represent Tinubu at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The Presidency said Shettima was carrying the President’s full mandate, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume represented Tinubu at some official engagements in Nigeria.
African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar questioned the constitutional implications of Tinubu’s extended absence. Citing Section 145 of the Constitution, Atiku asked whether the President had transmitted a written declaration to the leadership of the National Assembly transferring presidential functions to the Vice President.
The ADC also questioned the simultaneous absence of Tinubu and Shettima from Nigeria, with the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, raising questions about the constitutional basis for Akume representing the President at official events.
Former National Human Rights Commission chairman Chidi Odinkalu also criticised the President’s extended absence during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, arguing that the situation raised questions about the country’s leadership arrangements.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), also criticised Tinubu’s decision to spend his vacation in Europe. Obi argued that the President should be more focused on addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges and questioned why he could not take his vacation within the country. Channels Television
The Presidency defended Tinubu’s absence, describing the trip as a working vacation and maintaining that he remained in touch with developments at home and continued to direct government affairs while abroad. State House+1
The President’s return also ends speculation over the timing of his arrival ahead of Independence Day.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu chose to return through Lagos to honour the memory of the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. He is expected to attend the October 1 premiere of a film about Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Lagos.
Tinubu is also expected to hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates in Lagos as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue before returning to Abuja.
