Vacation: Tinubu arrives Paris

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Paris, France, for the second phase of his three-week annual leave in Europe, following his stay in London, United Kingdom.

Tinubu arrived in the French capital on Sunday, September 13, 2026 as his European vacation entered its second leg. He was received on arrival by Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Emmanuel Ayodele Oke, according to reports and visuals made available from the President’s arrival.

The development marks the latest movement by the President since he departed Abuja on August 30, 2026 to commence the three-week vacation announced by the Presidency as part of his annual leave. Blueprint reports

The State House had announced before his departure that London would be his first destination, while describing the period as a working vacation. The Presidency said Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the leave to resume his engagements, including preparations for the 2027 general elections.

From Abuja to London

Tinubu left Abuja for Europe after the Presidency announced that he would spend three weeks away from the country as part of his annual leave.

In a statement issued at the time, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President’s first stop would be London.

The statement did not initially disclose the President’s complete itinerary or the other European destinations he would visit during the vacation.

However, the Presidency made it clear that the leave was not intended to completely sever the President from official responsibilities, describing it as a “working vacation.”

The State House subsequently said Tinubu was expected to return home at the end of the vacation and join the hectic campaign activities ahead of the January 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

Paris becomes second destination

The President’s arrival in Paris on Sunday means France has now become the second publicly confirmed destination of his European vacation.

Reports said Tinubu proceeded to the French capital after spending the first part of his leave in London.

His arrival was confirmed by several Nigerian media outlets, with the State-owned Voice of Nigeria also reporting that Ambassador Oke received the President in Paris.

The Presidency has not released a detailed public itinerary for Tinubu’s stay in France, including the duration of his stay in Paris or whether additional European destinations would be visited before he returns to Nigeria.

The latest movement, however, indicates that the President’s three-week European break is continuing according to the broad plan announced at the beginning of the vacation.

Vacation comes amid busy political season

Tinubu’s vacation comes at a politically significant period in Nigeria, with preparations for the 2027 general elections already gaining momentum.

The Presidency had specifically linked the President’s expected return from the working vacation to preparations and campaign activities ahead of the January 2027 elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission had already opened the campaign window on August 19, allowing political parties and candidates to commence formal campaign activities.

Tinubu is seeking another term in office on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, with the election expected to be one of the major political contests of the coming year.

His decision to embark on the three-week leave at this stage has therefore attracted attention, particularly because of the timing of the trip and the increasing political activities across the country.

The Presidency, however, has maintained that the vacation is part of the President’s annual leave and has also characterised it as a working vacation.

President expected back after three weeks

Tinubu’s vacation began on August 30 and was announced as a three-week break.

Based on the original schedule, the leave is expected to run into the third week of September, although the Presidency has not announced a specific date for his return to Abuja.

The State House said the President would return home after the working vacation to continue his official responsibilities and join preparations for the 2027 election campaign.

The President’s absence from Nigeria has also coincided with Vice President Kashim Shettima’s official engagements, including his participation in the 2026 BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi.

Nigeria has been a BRICS partner country since January 2025, and the Federal Government has continued to use the platform to pursue stronger economic and diplomatic relations with emerging economies. The Federal Ministry of Information said Shettima’s participation at the summit was aimed at deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in areas including trade, investment, development finance and reform of global governance institutions.

Foreign trips continue to attract scrutiny

The President’s European vacation is also taking place against the backdrop of continuing public debate over the frequency and cost of official foreign travel by government officials.

A recent report by Daily Trust, citing an analysis of government expenditure, said the Presidency’s domestic and foreign travel-related spending had reached ₦37.64 billion over three years.

While the latest Paris trip has officially been described as part of Tinubu’s annual leave rather than an official state visit, the President’s presence in Europe has nevertheless generated public interest, particularly regarding the distinction between his private holiday, official engagements and what the Presidency calls a working vacation.

The administration has consistently defended the need for the President to engage internationally, especially on matters relating to investment, diplomacy, economic cooperation and Nigeria’s strategic interests.

France phase of vacation begins

With his arrival in Paris, President Tinubu has now entered the second publicly confirmed phase of his three-week European vacation.

The President spent the first part of the break in London before moving to France, where he is expected to continue his leave.

As of Sunday, September 13, the Presidency had not announced any change to the three-week duration initially communicated when Tinubu departed Abuja.

His eventual return to Nigeria is expected to bring him back into the centre of domestic political activities as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.

For now, however, the President remains in Europe, with Paris serving as the latest destination in his ongoing annual leave.

Tinubu’s arrival in France was received by Nigeria’s ambassador, Ayodele Oke, as the President continues the second phase of what the Presidency has described as a three-week working vacation.