President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Paris, France, for Nigeria after concluding his working vacation in Europe. His aircraft is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, later on Tuesday. According to the Presidency, the President will proceed to Lagos as part of his return programme before heading back to Abuja. This move is linked to planned engagements around Nigeria’s Independence anniversary and activities honouring the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
The President is expected to attend the premiere of a film on Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s Independence Day. This event is significant as it highlights Abiola’s role in Nigeria’s democratic history. Tinubu’s return brings to an end a working vacation that began on August 30, when he departed Abuja for London. He spent about a week in the United Kingdom before proceeding to Paris, where he combined private engagements with meetings involving political and business figures.
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu met French President Emmanuel Macron at a private dinner and also held discussions with business figures, including Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include media and digital investments. He also met Femi Otedola, chairman of First Holdings, on Monday as part of his engagements before concluding the European leg of his journey. These meetings formed part of a broader set of engagements undertaken by the President during his stay outside Nigeria.
One of the major developments associated with Tinubu’s Paris engagements was his witnessing of the signing of memoranda of understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of the Gateway Deep Seaport and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone. The agreements, signed in Paris last week, envisage an initial investment of more than $7 billion and are projected to create more than 50,000 direct jobs when fully developed, alongside additional indirect employment opportunities.
The proposed Gateway Deep Seaport will be located in Ogun Waterside and is planned to have a four-kilometre berth and an 18-metre draft. The project is intended to provide additional maritime capacity and help reduce pressure on the existing Lagos port corridor, particularly the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. The associated Blue Marine Special Economic Zone is proposed to cover about 10,000 hectares and is expected to support manufacturing, processing, logistics and export-oriented activities around the proposed port.
Tinubu’s Lagos engagements will also come against the backdrop of increasing political activity ahead of the 2027 elections. The Presidency has confirmed that political consultations will form part of his activities in Lagos, although details of the meetings have not been made public. For now, the President’s immediate schedule includes the Independence-related programme in Lagos before his eventual return to Abuja, where he is expected to continue his official duties following the conclusion of his European working vacation.
Following his engagements in Lagos, the President is expected to return to Abuja, where he will resume his regular official activities. His return comes after several weeks away from the country, during which Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at some official functions, including Nigeria’s participation at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The Presidency had earlier said the President remained in contact with officials and continued to direct the affairs of government while away.
Key points
- President Tinubu returns to Nigeria for 66th Independence anniversary engagements.
- Tinubu met with French President Emmanuel Macron and business figures in Paris.
- The President witnessed the signing of a $7 billion investment agreement for the Gateway Deep Seaport project.
