President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ended his month-long working vacation in Europe and departed Paris, France, for Nigeria, with his aircraft expected to arrive in Lagos later Tuesday.
The Presidency said Tinubu would fly directly to Lagos, where he will spend several days attending official and political engagements, including consultations with political leaders and associates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the President’s departure in a statement on Tuesday.
According to him, the presidential aircraft is expected to land at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos later in the evening.
The President’s return ends a working vacation that began on August 30, when he departed Abuja for London.
He spent about one week in the British capital before proceeding to Paris, where he remained for the rest of the trip.
The Presidency announced on September 21 that it had extended the vacation by a few days.
Onanuga said Tinubu chose Lagos as his first destination on returning to the country to honour the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election and a central figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
On Thursday, October 1, when Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, the President is scheduled to attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
The Presidency said Tinubu will also use his stay in Lagos to hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The latest itinerary followed an adjustment to the President’s earlier return schedule.
The Presidency had initially announced that Tinubu would return at the weekend after extending his vacation, before Onanuga confirmed on Sunday that the President would instead arrive on Tuesday and proceed directly to Lagos.
Tinubu combined the vacation with several diplomatic and investment engagements in France.
While in Paris, he attended a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and met businessman Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, whose media and entertainment interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
The President also met Chairman of First HoldCo, Femi Otedola, on Monday.
Last week, Tinubu witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and global ports and logistics operator DP World to develop the Gateway Deep Seaport in Ogun Waterside and a Blue Marine Economic Zone.
According to the Presidency, DP World plans to invest $7 billion in the seaport and economic zone projects; the Presidency cited this investment as one of the economic engagements Tinubu undertook during his stay in Europe.
The Presidency had maintained throughout the vacation that Tinubu remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct government affairs while abroad.
Vice President Kashim Shettima also represented the President at designated official engagements, including leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and delivering the country’s national statement.
Tinubu is expected to remain in Lagos after the Independence Day activities for his scheduled political engagements before returning to Abuja.
