President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, bringing an end to his four-week working vacation in Europe.
The President’s return follows a change to his earlier itinerary, which had indicated that he would return to the country at the weekend.
According to Presidency sources cited by Vanguard, Tinubu is expected to arrive in Lagos and spend the Independence Day period in the commercial capital before returning to Abuja next weekend.
The President is expected to arrive through the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where he will reportedly be received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Tinubu to mark October 1 in Lagos
Tinubu is expected to remain in Lagos through Thursday, October 1, when he will deliver a nationwide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The Federal Government has already announced a series of activities for the anniversary, including a public lecture scheduled for September 30 and the President’s national address on October 1.
The arrangement would see Tinubu spend the Independence period in Lagos for the second consecutive year.
Following the anniversary, the President is expected to attend to other official engagements in Lagos before travelling back to Abuja the following weekend.
Four-week working vacation
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin his working vacation. After spending about a week in the United Kingdom, he travelled to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency announced on September 21 that the President had extended his stay abroad by a few days, while maintaining that he remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs remotely.
During his absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at several official engagements, including Nigeria’s participation at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
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The Presidency has also said Tinubu continued to issue directives while abroad, including ordering an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.
Presidency defends Tinubu’s absence
The President’s extended stay outside Nigeria has generated public and political debate, with questions raised by some opposition figures about his prolonged absence.
However, the Presidency has maintained that Tinubu has continued to perform his constitutional responsibilities while away.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu was not required to be physically present in Abuja to discharge his duties, noting that the President had remained engaged through digital communication and official briefings.
With Tinubu now expected back in Lagos on Tuesday, attention is set to shift to his Independence Day engagements and the national broadcast scheduled for October 1.