President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is now expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has announced.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30, 2026, for London, where he began his working vacation. After spending about a week in the United Kingdom, he travelled to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
In a statement issued on Monday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the extension of the vacation.
The statement said, “President Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend, following the extension of his working vacation by a few days.”
According to Onanuga, Tinubu has continued to monitor developments in Nigeria and direct government affairs despite being outside the country.
The presidential spokesman noted that the President had, among other things, ordered an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Onanuga also disclosed that Tinubu had delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official engagements during his absence.
However, Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, leaving Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to continue representing the President at official events.
Meanwhile, the Presidency said Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has continued consultations with prominent traditional rulers and other stakeholders as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.
The Presidency also dismissed comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly, describing the insinuation as “baseless” and “irresponsible.”
Onanuga said, “Vice President Shettima, who is representing the President at the global conference, will present Nigeria’s national statement.”
