President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after spending about four weeks in Europe on what the Presidency described as a working vacation.
Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, September 29, after departing Paris, France.
He landed at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other dignitaries received him.
The Presidency said Tinubu chose Lagos as his first stop because he wanted to honour the memory of late MKO Abiola, the winner of the June 1993 presidential election.
Tinubu Dismisses Health Concerns
Speaking with journalists after his arrival, Tinubu addressed concerns about his health.
The President said he was healthy and ready to resume work.
“I’m healthy, sound and ready to go,” Tinubu said, according to reports by PUNCH and TheCable.
His comment came after weeks of speculation about his health during his extended stay abroad.
The President did not provide details of any medical treatment. The reports reviewed for this story do not establish that he received medical treatment during the trip.
President Spent Four Weeks Abroad
Tinubu left Abuja on August 30 for his working vacation.
He first travelled to London before moving to Paris.
The Presidency initially expected him to return after about three weeks. On September 21, however, it announced that he had extended the trip by a few days.
The extension generated fresh political debate.
The African Action Congress later filed a suit against Tinubu and the National Assembly over his prolonged absence. The party alleged that the President failed to formally transfer power to Vice-President Kashim Shettima during the vacation.
That case remains a matter for the court to determine.
Tinubu Holds Meetings in Paris
The President’s stay in France included several high-level meetings.
He met French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed bilateral relations between Nigeria and France.
Tinubu also met business leaders during the trip.
Among them was Femi Otedola, chairman of First HoldCo Plc.
Otedola later said Tinubu’s economic reforms had placed Nigeria on a path towards sustainable growth. That statement represented Otedola’s assessment of the administration’s reforms.
The President also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World.
The agreement covers plans for a proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside. The Presidency said DP World plans to invest about $7 billion in the project.
Lagos Meetings Ahead of Abuja Return
Tinubu is expected to spend several days in Lagos before returning to Abuja.
According to the Presidency, he will hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates during his stay.
The meetings come ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President is also expected to attend an October 1 movie premiere honouring MKO Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Lagos.
Debate Over Tinubu’s Absence
Tinubu’s extended stay abroad attracted political criticism in recent weeks.
Some opposition figures questioned the length of his absence and raised constitutional concerns about the transfer of presidential powers.
The Presidency rejected those concerns.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also defended Tinubu’s absence. He said the President remained in charge of the country and continued to direct government affairs while abroad.
The Presidency had earlier said Tinubu remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government business during the vacation.
Vice-President Shettima also represented Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York during Tinubu’s absence.
Tinubu Back as Political Activity Intensifies
Tinubu’s return comes as political activity around the 2027 elections continues to build.
The President’s planned meetings in Lagos are expected to focus partly on political consultations.
At the same time, opposition parties and political groups continue to organise ahead of the next election cycle.
For now, Tinubu has returned to Nigeria and is expected to resume more direct presidential engagements.
His message on arrival was brief: he said he was healthy and ready to work.
The coming days will show the extent of his engagements as he moves from Lagos back to Abuja.
