Tinubu Extends Working Vacation, to Return to Nigeria at Weekend

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has announced.

The development was disclosed on Monday, September 21, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

According to the statement, Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin his working vacation. After spending about a week in the United Kingdom, he proceeded to Paris, France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.

The Presidency said Tinubu had continued to remain in contact with officials at home and direct government affairs despite being outside the country.

Among the actions attributed to the President during his vacation was the order for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The President had directed that the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the conditions under which the detainees were held and the events leading to their deaths, be thoroughly investigated.

The Presidency said the President’s continued directives from abroad demonstrated that he had remained engaged with affairs of state during the vacation.

Vice President Kashim Shettima had represented Tinubu at several official functions while the President was away.

However, Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 for New York to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he is expected to present Nigeria’s national statement.

With Shettima now in New York, the Presidency said Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who has also represented the President at official functions, will continue to do so.

The Presidency also criticised comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm over Tinubu’s decision not to personally attend the 81st UNGA.

The administration described the insinuations surrounding the President’s absence as “irresponsible” and maintained that Nigeria would be adequately represented at the global gathering through the Vice President and other senior officials.

Atiku has separately questioned Tinubu’s repeated absence from the UNGA and raised constitutional questions about the exercise of presidential authority while the President remains abroad.

On the political front, the Presidency said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had continued consultations with prominent traditional rulers alongside other party leaders.

The consultations come ahead of the 2027 general elections as political activities and mobilisation intensify across the country.

The Presidency did not give a specific date for Tinubu’s return, but said he would return to Nigeria at the weekend following the extension of his working vacation.

The original August 30 State House announcement had said Tinubu was travelling to Europe for a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave.

The latest announcement therefore extends the President’s stay abroad beyond the initial three-week period, while government officials continue to represent him at selected engagements in Nigeria and abroad.