President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after spending about four weeks abroad on what the Presidency described as a working vacation, and is expected to resume political engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, from Paris, France, on Tuesday evening, September 29, 2026. He was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other dignitaries. Reports put the time of his arrival at about 6:20 p.m.
Speaking with journalists shortly after his arrival, Tinubu dismissed concerns about his health, declaring that he was healthy, sound and ready to work.
“Rumours will always emanate from politics. The fact remains that I’m here, healthy, sound, ready to work and ready to go,” the President said.
His comment came amid speculation on social media and in some political circles about his health while he was abroad. The Presidency had earlier announced that his working vacation had been extended by a few days, while maintaining that he remained engaged with official matters during his stay overseas.
Tinubu’s return also comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections. The Presidency said he would hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates in Lagos over several days as part of preparations for the elections.
The President has also faced criticism from opposition figures and other political commentators over his administration’s record, including electricity supply and other issues affecting Nigerians.
Critics have revisited Tinubu’s campaign-era promises on electricity and are questioning the administration’s performance in the power sector. They have also argued that the President should not be seeking another term if, in their assessment, key campaign promises have not been fulfilled.
Tinubu and members of his administration have, however, maintained that Nigerians should give the government more time to consolidate what they describe as ongoing reforms and the “good work” being done.
Governor Sanwo-Olu was among the dignitaries who welcomed Tinubu at the airport.
In a post on his social media page, the governor wrote:
“I received His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja following his well-deserved working vacation in France.
“It is always a pleasure to have Mr. President back in Lagos.
“We are glad to have you back, Your Excellency.”
Meanwhile, activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore criticised the President’s return in a social media post, questioning the presentation of Tinubu for another presidential term and making claims about the President’s health.
Sowore also compared the situation with the administrations of former Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari.
Sowore wrote:“We’ve been here before: Nigeria is repeatedly used as health insurance for sickly and worn-out presidents, who are then packaged and presented to the public in staged airport ceremonies while the same failed performances are repeated and the country is further destroyed. The same actors during the Umaru Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari administrations and now Tinubu @officialABAT.
“No shame, no regrets and they want you to move on as though nothing is wrong.”
The Presidency, however, has maintained that Tinubu is healthy and ready to resume his duties, with the President himself dismissing the health rumours upon his arrival in Lagos.
In a statement issued on September 29, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had ended his working vacation and departed Paris for Nigeria.
According to the statement, Tinubu chose to travel first to Lagos to honour the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the June 1993 presidential election and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
The President is expected to attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.
The statement also disclosed that Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30, spent one week in London and subsequently travelled to Paris, where he held several engagements.
These included a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and a meeting with businessman Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group. The President also met with Femi Otedola, Chairman of First Holdings.
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of a Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun Waterside and a Blue Marine Special Economic Zone. The Presidency said the proposed investment is valued at $7 billion.
The President is expected to remain in Lagos for political engagements before returning to Abuja, according to the Presidency.
