President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Paris, France, and is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos later on Tuesday. According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will first arrive in Lagos, where he is expected to attend a number of engagements before returning to Abuja.
The Presidency said the President chose to return through Lagos partly to honour the memory of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, widely known as MKO Abiola, whose political legacy remains closely associated with Nigeria’s democratic struggle. Tinubu is expected to attend the premiere of a movie commemorating Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, as part of activities around Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary on October 1.
During his time in Paris, Tinubu held several engagements with political and business figures. He met French President Emmanuel Macron at a private dinner and also held discussions with Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group. The presidency said Tinubu and Bolloré discussed expanded investment in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.
The President also met businessman Femi Otedola, Chairman of First Holdings, as part of his engagements while in France. Another major development during the President’s stay in Europe was his involvement in discussions surrounding a proposed deep seaport and blue economy project in Ogun State.
The Ogun State Government and DP World signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of a Gateway deep seaport in Ogun Waterside and the creation of a Blue Marine Economic Zone. The proposed project is expected to attract an investment of about $7 billion, according to the Presidency.
Tinubu’s return to Nigeria comes shortly after the African Action Congress filed a lawsuit challenging aspects of his prolonged absence from the country. The AAC approached the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, September 28, asking the court to determine whether Tinubu was required to transmit a written declaration to the National Assembly before proceeding on his extended vacation outside Nigeria.
The President left Abuja on August 30 for a working vacation in Europe, initially travelling to London, where he spent about a week before proceeding to Paris, France. Key points include Tinubu's meetings with global leaders, a major investment project, and a lawsuit filed by the African Action Congress.
Key points
- President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after a working vacation in Europe
- The President is expected to attend engagements in Lagos before heading to Abuja
- A lawsuit has been filed by the African Action Congress challenging aspects of Tinubu's prolonged absence from the country
