President Bola Tinubu has concluded his working vacation in France and has arrived Lagos.
The President’s return marks the end of a month-long period during which he spent time in Europe, including engagements in London and Paris. The Presidency had described the trip as a working vacation, during which Tinubu continued to attend to national matters while also holding meetings with foreign officials and business interests.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu’s aircraft was expected to arrive at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, later in the evening.
According to Onanuga, the President deliberately chose Lagos as his first port of call because of the city’s historical significance to Nigeria’s democratic struggle and his desire to honour the memory of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, became one of the most prominent figures associated with Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle following the annulment of the election by the military government.
The Presidency said Tinubu would participate in activities marking Nigeria’s Independence Day on October 1, including the premiere of a movie dedicated to Abiola’s life and legacy.
The premiere is scheduled to take place at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.
The decision to begin his post-vacation schedule in Lagos is also expected to provide the President with an opportunity to reconnect with political associates and party stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Onanuga said Tinubu would hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates during his stay in Lagos.
“While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections,” the presidential aide said.
The Presidency did not disclose the identities of the political leaders expected to meet with Tinubu or provide details of the issues likely to dominate the discussions.
The planned meetings come as political parties and political actors intensify consultations and preparations for the 2027 elections. Tinubu is expected to seek another term in office, while opposition parties and coalitions are also organising their structures ahead of the polls.
Tinubu’s decision to travel to Lagos before returning to Abuja is therefore expected to place the commercial capital at the centre of some of his immediate political engagements.
The President is expected to return to Abuja after completing the meetings and other scheduled activities in Lagos.
Tinubu left Abuja on August 30 to begin his working vacation. The State House initially announced that he would spend three weeks in Europe as part of his annual leave, with London designated as his first destination.
After spending about a week in London, the President travelled to Paris, France, where he held a number of engagements.
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu met French President Emmanuel Macron at a private dinner. He also held discussions with French businessman Vincent Bolloré on investment opportunities in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.
According to the State House, Bolloré’s group confirmed plans to deepen the localisation of its operations in Nigeria across areas including film, entertainment and fibre-optic infrastructure.
The Presidency subsequently extended Tinubu’s working vacation by a few days beyond the initially announced period. In its September 21 statement, the State House said the President had remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct national affairs while abroad.
During his absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at several official engagements, including the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Shettima delivered Nigeria’s national statement.
Tinubu’s return also comes against the backdrop of increased political activity ahead of the 2027 elections. Political parties and campaign groups have already begun consultations, mobilisation and organisational activities across the country.
For Tinubu, the immediate Lagos schedule combines historical, ceremonial and political engagements. His planned appearance at the Independence Day premiere will provide an opportunity to commemorate Abiola and reflect on the democratic struggles associated with the June 12 election, while the planned meetings with political associates will focus on preparations for the next general elections.
After completing his engagements in Lagos, the President is expected to resume his official schedule from Abuja, where the federal government’s regular administrative activities are based.
The conclusion of the working vacation thus brings Tinubu back to Nigeria at a period marked by heightened political consultations, preparations for the 2027 elections and continuing government efforts to address economic and development issues.
