Reloaded News Desk
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return to Nigeria this week after spending about four weeks in Europe on a working vacation, the Presidency has confirmed.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on Sunday while dismissing concerns over the President’s prolonged absence from the country.
Onanuga said Tinubu was “hale and hearty” and had remained engaged with official responsibilities during his stay abroad.
The presidential aide said the President’s working vacation was within his entitlement and that his physical absence from Abuja had not prevented him from directing government affairs.
He cited Tinubu’s meetings with investors in France and his role in facilitating a proposed $7 billion deep-sea port project in Ogun Waterside as examples of the President’s official engagements while abroad.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London at the beginning of his annual vacation before travelling to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency subsequently extended the President’s stay by a few days after the initial three-week vacation period.
His return was initially expected last weekend, but the itinerary was later adjusted.
Reports citing Presidency sources now indicate that Tinubu is expected to arrive in Lagos on Tuesday, September 29, ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1.
The President is expected to remain in Lagos through the Independence celebrations before returning to Abuja next weekend.
According to the reports, Tinubu is also expected to attend the premiere of a documentary on the late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, at the National Theatre in Lagos on October 1.
While Tinubu has been away, Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at several major engagements, including the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shettima has since completed his UNGA engagements and returned to Nigeria.
Onanuga also defended the President’s decision not to personally attend the UN General Assembly, noting that Tinubu had already delegated Shettima to represent Nigeria at the gathering.
The confirmation of Tinubu’s return comes after several opposition figures and political groups questioned the duration of his stay abroad and his absence from the UNGA.
The Presidency has maintained that the President remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to issue directives while away.
With his return now expected this week, Tinubu is set to resume physical engagements in Nigeria after the extended European working vacation.
