President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Lagos after concluding his extended working vacation in Europe, ending a four-week absence from Nigeria.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Tuesday, where he was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and other senior political figures.
The President’s arrival followed his departure from Paris, France, earlier on Tuesday after completing what the Presidency described as a working vacation.
Tinubu left Abuja on August 30 and spent his first week in London before travelling to Paris, where he held several official and private engagements.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President chose to return through Lagos because of planned engagements in the state, including activities commemorating Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The Presidency said Tinubu would also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates in Lagos over the coming days as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
His Lagos programme will include attendance at the premiere of a film honouring the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu on October 1.
The President is also expected to participate in other activities marking Independence Day.
The Federal Government has announced that this year’s 66th Independence Anniversary will be marked under the theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity.” An Independence Day public lecture is scheduled for September 30, while Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast is expected on October 1.
Tinubu’s European stay included a number of engagements with political and business figures.
In Paris, he held a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and met business leaders, including Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group.
He also met with businessman and First HoldCo Chairman Femi Otedola shortly before leaving France. Otedola subsequently posted about their meeting, expressing his assessment of the administration’s economic reforms.
The President also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of a proposed Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun Waterside and a Blue Marine Economic Zone. The proposed investment has been reported at $7bn.
Tinubu’s extended stay abroad had generated public and political discussion, particularly after the Presidency announced an extension of his working vacation beyond the original return schedule.
On September 21, the State House said the President had extended his stay in Europe by a few days. It maintained that Tinubu remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued directing the affairs of government while abroad.
During the President’s absence, Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented him at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he delivered Nigeria’s national statement.
With Tinubu now back in the country, attention is expected to shift to his Lagos engagements, including meetings with political figures and activities surrounding the Independence anniversary.
The Presidency said the President would return to Abuja after completing his political and official engagements in Lagos.
