President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his three-week working vacation in Europe by an additional week, with the Presidency confirming he will return to Nigeria over the weekend.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days, stretching a scheduled three-week leave into a longer stay abroad. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga disclosed in a statement that the president is scheduled to return to Nigeria over the weekend.
Itinerary Across London and Paris
The working vacation began when Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30, heading first to London for a week of the trip. Following his stay in the United Kingdom, he traveled to Paris, France. During his time in Paris, the president held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore, whose diverse media holdings include Canal+, MultiChoice, and Universal Music Group.
Despite being out of the country, the Presidency maintains that Tinubu has stayed in continuous contact with officials in Abuja. According to government statements, the president has continued to direct affairs of state from abroad. Among his actions from Europe was an order establishing an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State. Those individuals had been detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps before fatalities were reported.
Delegated Duties and International Representation
While the president remains abroad, executive responsibilities have been shared among key members of his administration. Vice President Kashim Shettima initially represented Tinubu at domestic functions before departing Abuja for New York to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
With Shettima attending the global summit, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has continued to represent the president at official domestic events. Meanwhile, political preparations for upcoming electoral cycles proceed on the home front. Senator Abubakar Yari, serving as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, has led governing party leaders through consultations with traditional rulers across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political Opposition and Administration Defense
The extended absence and non-attendance at the United Nations General Assembly sparked direct criticism from political opponents.
The Presidency rejected the commentary, issuing pointed pushback against the former vice president and his associates.
“The federal government has noted recent political commentary by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying organisation retained by him, questioning President Tinubu’s non-attendance and seeking to impute false and baseless motives to it.”
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, via Thisdaylive
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Tope Ajayi argued that the president has broken no laws.
“President Tinubu has not breached the constitution in any way. He is entitled to 21 working days’ vacation and he has only done 15 days.”
Tope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, via Thisdaylive
Next Steps on the Political Calendar
With Tinubu expected back in the country over the weekend, public attention shifts to his return to direct supervision in Abuja. The administration faces a packed domestic calendar, marked by ongoing investigations into the Minna mining detention deaths and escalating campaign activities.
Tinubu’s return marks the conclusion of his first major annual leave of 2026, pivoting his administration directly into national election preparations.