President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after concluding his extended working vacation in Europe, arriving in Lagos from Paris, France, on Tuesday evening.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 6:22 p.m. aboard the Nigerian Air Force One.
He was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy President of the Senate Barau Jibrin, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and other dignitaries.
The President chose to return to Nigeria through Lagos to honour the memory of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, whom the Presidency described as a martyr of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
As part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1, Tinubu is expected to attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
While in Lagos, the President is also expected to hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days as part of preparations for the 2027 elections, before returning to Abuja.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for what the Presidency described as a working vacation. He spent about one week in London before proceeding to Paris, where he held several engagements, including a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and meetings with business leaders.
During his stay in France, the President also met with Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group and First HoldCo Chairman Femi Otedola. He further witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of a Gateway Deep Seaport and Blue Marine Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside, a project expected to attract about seven billion dollars in investment.
Tinubu’s prolonged stay abroad, however, generated criticism from some opposition politicians and other Nigerians, particularly following his decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the gathering and delivered the country’s national statement.
Some opposition figures also questioned the constitutional implications of the President’s extended absence from the country, while others criticised his decision to spend the period abroad rather than remain in Nigeria.
The Presidency defended Tinubu’s absence, with his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, maintaining that the President was on a working vacation and continued to attend to matters of national interest while abroad. The Presidency had earlier announced that the vacation was extended by a few days.
Tinubu’s return brings his four-week European working vacation to an end, with the President now expected to participate in Independence Day activities and hold political engagements in Lagos before returning to Abuja.
