President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is now expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend. According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu had continued to remain in touch with developments at home and direct the affairs of government despite his absence from the country. Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London, United Kingdom, to begin his annual leave, which was initially announced as a three-week working vacation.
The Presidency said the President had remained actively involved in matters of national importance throughout his time away from Nigeria. Among the actions cited by Onanuga was Tinubu’s directive for the establishment of an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State. The Federal Government subsequently constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Tinubu’s working vacation has also included diplomatic and economic engagements in France. On September 18, Tinubu met with businessman Vincent Bolloré in Paris over expanded investment in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy. The Bolloré Group said it planned to deepen the localisation of its operations in Nigeria across film, entertainment, fibre-optic infrastructure and related sectors. Tinubu also held an engagement with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, with the two leaders discussing the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and France and ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation.
While Tinubu has been away, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented him at several official functions and is currently leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 for the UNGA, where he is representing the President and is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate. The Federal Government has said Shettima has the President’s full mandate to represent Nigeria at the global gathering.
The extension of Tinubu’s vacation comes amid public debate over his decision not to attend the 81st UN General Assembly in person. The Presidency, in the statement, rejected what it described as “baseless insinuation” by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm concerning Tinubu’s absence from the New York gathering. Onanuga described the claims as irresponsible, stressing that the President had delegated Shettima to represent him at the international conference.
Political activities ahead of the 2027 elections have also continued while the President remains abroad. According to the Presidency, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading notable party leaders in consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country. The consultations come against the backdrop of increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu’s return will also come as the administration prepares for a busy period involving domestic governance, economic policy implementation, political activities and continued international engagements. For now, the Presidency says the President has remained engaged with affairs of state from Europe, while constitutional and administrative responsibilities have continued to be handled by senior officials, particularly Shettima and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, during his absence.
Key points
- President Tinubu extended his working vacation in Europe amid criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
- Vice President Kashim Shettima is representing Tinubu at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- The Presidency has rejected "baseless insinuation" by Atiku Abubakar and a US-based lobbying firm concerning Tinubu's absence from the UNGA.
