President Bola Tinubu has ended his extended working vacation in Europe and departed Paris, France, for Lagos, where he is expected to hold meetings with political leaders and associates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President’s departure from Paris was announced on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Tinubu is expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, later in the day.
Tinubu left Abuja on August 30 for a three-week working vacation as part of his annual leave. He spent his first week in London before travelling to Paris, where he continued his official engagements. The Presidency later extended his stay by a few days.
The Presidency said Tinubu chose Lagos as his first destination after returning to Nigeria to honour the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle.
The President is expected to attend the premiere of a movie celebrating Abiola on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.
Beyond the Independence Day engagement, Tinubu is expected to spend several days in Lagos holding meetings with political leaders and associates as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
“While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections,” Onanuga said.
Tinubu’s prolonged stay abroad had generated political debate, particularly after his initial three-week vacation was extended. The Presidency had maintained that the President remained in contact with Nigeria and continued directing government affairs while away.
His return also comes a day after the African Action Congress, AAC, filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging his alleged failure to transmit a written declaration to the National Assembly to enable Vice-President Kashim Shettima to perform the functions of Acting President during his absence.
During his stay in France, Tinubu held several official and business engagements.
He met French President Emmanuel Macron at a private dinner and held talks with Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group over expanded investments in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy. The State House said the discussions covered film, entertainment, fibre-optic infrastructure and related sectors.
Tinubu also met businessman Femi Otedola, Chairman of First HoldCo Plc, on Monday.
On September 24, he witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.
The Presidency said the proposed projects involve more than $7 billion in investment, with the Gateway Deep Sea Port and economic zone expected to form part of a wider maritime and industrial corridor in Ogun State.
Tinubu is expected to remain in Lagos for his political and official engagements before returning to Abuja.
The Presidency has also confirmed that the Federal Government will hold a low-key 66th Independence Day celebration on October 1, with Tinubu expected to address Nigerians.
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