President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, following an extended working vacation in Europe that began on August 30.
The President, who was initially expected to return at the weekend, is now scheduled to arrive in Lagos, according to a report by THISDAY citing Presidency sources. He is expected to be received at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The development would bring to an end Tinubu’s extended stay in Europe, where he has spent about four weeks as part of his annual leave and working vacation.
The Presidency had initially announced on August 30 that Tinubu was departing Abuja for a three-week vacation in Europe, with London as his first destination. However, on September 21, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga announced that the President’s working vacation had been extended by a few days and that he would return to Nigeria at the weekend.
The latest report indicates that the return has now been shifted to Tuesday, September 29.
According to THISDAY, Tinubu is expected to remain in Lagos after his arrival and celebrate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary in the city on Thursday, October 1.
If confirmed, it would be the second consecutive year that the President would celebrate Independence Day in Lagos rather than Abuja. He also marked the anniversary in Lagos in 2025.
The report said Tinubu would remain in Lagos after the October 1 celebrations to attend to official state matters before returning to Abuja the following weekend.
The President’s European trip began in London, where he spent about a week before moving to Paris, France.
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and French businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The State House confirmed that Tinubu met Bolloré on September 18 as part of his working vacation. Discussions centred on investment in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy, with the Bolloré Group outlining plans to deepen the localisation of its operations in Nigeria across areas including film, entertainment and fibre-optic infrastructure. The group’s media and digital interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
Tinubu also held a private dinner with Macron in Paris, according to the State House.
The President’s stay in Europe did not completely halt his involvement in official affairs at home. The Presidency said he continued to keep in touch with developments in Nigeria and directed government actions while away.
One such directive followed reports of the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who had been detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State. The Presidency said Tinubu ordered an independent investigation into the incident, while the Minister of Interior subsequently constituted a committee to investigate the reported deaths.
Tinubu also delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima and Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume to represent him at some official functions during his absence.
Shettima, in particular, represented the President at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York after leaving Abuja on September 20. The Presidency said he would deliver Nigeria’s national statement at the global gathering on Tinubu’s behalf.
The President’s extended absence from the country generated political debate, particularly over his decision not to attend the UN General Assembly personally.
The Presidency rejected criticisms of the absence and maintained that Tinubu remained in charge of the administration while on working vacation. It also said there was no constitutional impediment to the President’s temporary absence and delegation of responsibilities.
The return date is therefore coming after a period in which the President’s schedule combined personal leave with official engagements and diplomatic meetings.
Tinubu’s planned arrival in Lagos also places the city at the centre of the Federal Government’s Independence Day activities for 2026.
The President’s decision to celebrate the anniversary in Lagos is significant in the context of his administration’s previous Independence Day arrangements. In 2025, he also remained in Lagos for the October 1 celebration after his engagements in the city.
According to the report, Tinubu is expected to use his time in Lagos following the Independence celebrations to attend to official matters before travelling back to Abuja.
The planned return also comes as preparations intensify for the political and administrative activities surrounding the final phase of the year.
The Presidency had initially described Tinubu’s European trip as annual leave and a working vacation rather than a complete disengagement from official responsibilities. The August 30 announcement stated that he was expected to return after the vacation and resume activities in Nigeria.
The initial three-week period was subsequently extended. On September 21, Onanuga said the President would return following the extension by a few days, while noting that Tinubu had continued to direct affairs of government from abroad.
The latest report now puts the expected return date at Tuesday, September 29.
Tinubu’s arrival in Lagos will therefore mark the beginning of his return to the country’s domestic schedule after the European trip. The President is expected to participate in the 66th Independence Anniversary activities on October 1 before continuing official engagements in Lagos.
The Presidency has not, in the information currently available, released a detailed public itinerary for the President’s October 1 programme or formally announced the full schedule for his return.
For now, the reported plan is for Tinubu to arrive in Lagos on Tuesday, spend the Independence anniversary in the city on Thursday, continue with official duties there and return to Abuja the following weekend.
The developments bring to a close an extended European working vacation during which the President travelled between London and Paris, held diplomatic and business meetings, monitored developments at home and delegated the Vice President and other senior officials to represent him at selected functions.
