Happening now: From Paris, Tinubu arrives Lagos after 4-week vacation abroad

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after spending about four weeks in Europe on what the Presidency described as a working vacation, arriving in Lagos from Paris, France, on Tuesday evening.

The President’s aircraft, Nigerian Air Force One, landed at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 6:22pm, according to reports citing Channels Television. Tinubu was received at the airport by senior government officials, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, alongside security chiefs. Blueprint reports

Tinubu had departed Nigeria on August 30 for London, where he initially began his working vacation before travelling to Paris, France. The Presidency later announced an extension of the vacation by a few days, with the President eventually concluding the trip and departing Paris for Nigeria on Tuesday.

Engagements in London and Paris

Although the trip was described as a working vacation, Tinubu continued to hold a number of official and diplomatic engagements while outside the country.

During his stay in Paris, the President met French President Emmanuel Macron and held discussions on bilateral relations and areas of cooperation between Nigeria and France. He also held engagements with prominent business figures, including Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include media and entertainment assets.

The Presidency had maintained that Tinubu remained in communication with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct the affairs of government during his absence. It also said that the President had delegated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official functions.

Shettima, however, travelled to New York during the period to represent Nigeria at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he delivered Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of the President.

With both the President and Vice-President outside the country at different stages of the period, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume represented the President at some official events, according to the Presidency.

Vacation extended beyond initial period

Tinubu’s initial announcement on August 30 was that he would spend three weeks in Europe as part of his annual leave. He travelled first to London before moving to Paris.

However, on September 21, the Presidency announced that the President had extended the working vacation by a few days. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu would return to Nigeria at the weekend, although the President eventually arrived on Tuesday, September 29.

The extension generated political and constitutional debate, particularly over the length of the President’s absence and the arrangements for the discharge of presidential responsibilities while he was abroad.

Members of the opposition and some lawmakers questioned whether the constitutional requirements concerning presidential absence had been fully complied with, while the Presidency maintained that governance had continued without interruption.

The Presidency also pointed to the President’s continued engagement with developments at home and said he remained in contact with officials throughout the period.

Return comes amid major engagements

Tinubu’s return comes as the Federal Government prepares for a number of major engagements in the coming days, including activities linked to Nigeria’s Independence anniversary.

The President is also expected to continue engagements around major infrastructure and investment initiatives that featured during his European trip.

One of the major developments announced during his stay in Paris was a $7 billion agreement involving the Ogun State Government and DP World MEA FZE concerning the development of the Ogun Deep Sea Port and associated economic infrastructure. The agreement was signed in Paris in the presence of Tinubu.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun subsequently said construction of the deep-sea port was expected to commence in November, further indicating the significance attached to the agreement reached during the President’s stay in France.

Tinubu’s return to Lagos also comes at a time when political activities are intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission opened the campaign period on August 19, with political parties and candidates stepping up their engagements across the country.

Political activities gather pace

Before his departure, Tinubu was expected to return to Nigeria and join political activities ahead of the 2027 elections. His absence coincided with an increasingly active political environment, with the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition parties intensifying consultations and mobilisation.

The Presidency has maintained that the President’s working vacation did not prevent him from attending to government matters. According to the administration, Tinubu remained in touch with developments at home and continued to issue directives where necessary.

The period also saw the Vice-President undertake international duties on behalf of the President, including his participation at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he delivered Nigeria’s national statement.

Tinubu settles back in Nigeria

With his return to Lagos, the President is expected to resume a more extensive schedule of domestic engagements after his extended stay abroad.

His arrival also marks the end of a European trip that combined personal leave with diplomatic, business and governmental engagements.

The President’s four-week absence had attracted considerable public and political discussion, particularly after his initial three-week vacation was extended. The Presidency, however, consistently described the trip as a working vacation and said the President remained engaged with governance throughout.

Tinubu’s return now places him back in Nigeria as the administration enters another phase of domestic engagements, while political activities and preparations for the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum.