President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria on Saturday following his two-nation diplomatic visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil, the Presidency confirmed amid growing questions about his extended absence from the country.
The confirmation came through a brief statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who announced the return via his social media handle. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns to Abuja today after his two-nation visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil,” Onanuga wrote.
The presidential return addresses mounting concerns from opposition parties and civil society groups who had questioned the President’s whereabouts following the conclusion of the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil on Monday, July 7th. The five-day gap between the summit’s end and Tinubu’s return had sparked criticism about the lack of official communication regarding his location and activities.
Tinubu’s diplomatic tour began on Saturday, June 28, 2025, with an official visit to Saint Lucia before proceeding to Brazil for the BRICS Summit. However, his extended stay beyond the summit’s conclusion without official explanation had drawn scrutiny from various quarters, including coalition parties who had publicly demanded clarity on the President’s whereabouts.
The silence from the Presidency regarding Tinubu’s post-summit activities had fueled speculation and criticism, with opposition groups questioning the transparency of the administration’s communication with the Nigerian public. The delayed return announcement comes as the government faces increasing pressure to maintain clear communication about presidential movements and activities.
Meanwhile, the administration continues to face criticism on other fronts, with former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, describing the much-publicised Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a “scam” during a recent television interview. Lawal, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, accused the current administration of failing to deliver meaningful infrastructure projects since taking office.
The former SGF’s comments, made during an interview on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television Friday, reflect growing skepticism about the government’s flagship projects and overall performance in delivering tangible benefits to ordinary Nigerians.
Tinubu’s return is expected to provide an opportunity for the administration to address these mounting concerns and provide clarity on the outcomes of his diplomatic engagements in both Saint Lucia and Brazil.
