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 announced on Monday.
The President departed Abuja on August 30 for a three-week annual leave, initially travelling to London, United Kingdom. He later proceeded to Paris, France, where he held engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs while abroad.
“President Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend, following the extension of his working vacation by a few days,” Onanuga stated.
The Presidency did not disclose the exact number of additional days for the vacation or give a specific date for the President’s return.
During his absence, Tinubu has continued to take decisions on national issues. One of the major actions attributed to him was the order for an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died after being detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State.
The Federal Government subsequently constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, while some NSCDC personnel connected with the incident were suspended pending the outcome of investigations.
The President’s stay in Europe has also included official and business engagements. In Paris, he met Macron and held discussions with Bolloré, whose business interests include media and entertainment companies. The Presidency said the engagements formed part of efforts to strengthen investment and economic cooperation.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented the President at some official functions during his absence.
Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly. He is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the high-level gathering and participate in other diplomatic engagements.
With Shettima now in New York, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other senior government officials are expected to continue representing the President at official engagements where necessary.
Tinubu’s extended stay has also generated political debate, particularly over his decision not to personally attend the 81st UN General Assembly. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the constitutional arrangements surrounding the President’s continued absence from Nigeria, citing Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution. Those comments represent Atiku’s position, while the Presidency has rejected his criticism and maintained that the President remains in charge of government affairs.
The Presidency has also defended the decision for Shettima to represent Nigeria at the UN gathering, saying the Vice President will present the country’s national statement and undertake high-level engagements on behalf of the President.
As of Monday, no specific reason was publicly given for the extension of Tinubu’s vacation beyond the Presidency’s statement that he would return at the weekend.
The development means the President will remain in Europe for several days beyond the original three-week leave announced when he departed Nigeria on August 30.
