By Emmanuel Thomas, Sept 21, 2026
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend following a brief extension of his ongoing working vacation in Europe, the Presidency announced on Monday.
The President originally departed Nigeria on August 30, 2026, traveling to London, United Kingdom, to commence the initial leg of his scheduled rest and working recess.
Disclosing the update in an official State House press statement issued on September 21, 2026, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that the President remains actively in charge of state affairs while abroad and will be back in the country before the end of the week
Following his one-week stay in London, President Tinubu relocated to Paris, France, where he combined his vacation with high-level diplomatic and economic engagements.
While in Paris, the Nigerian leader held a private bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss diplomatic relations and bilateral economic cooperation between Nigeria and France.
In addition to state discussions, President Tinubu engaged with prominent French business tycoon Mr. Vincent Bolloré.
Bolloré leads a multi-billion-dollar global media and entertainment conglomerate whose extensive portfolio includes Canal+, MultiChoice, and Universal Music Group. The high-level meeting focused on strategic investments and expanding creative industry partnerships within Nigeria.
The Presidency emphasized that despite his physical absence from the country, President Tinubu has remained fully in executive control of government business, continuously directing national affairs from abroad.
Among notable presidential directives issued during the recess, President Tinubu ordered the immediate constitution of an independent investigative panel to probe the tragic deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna, Niger State. The incident occurred following their arrest and detention by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
”Since he began the vacation, President Tinubu has continued to keep in touch with home, directing the affairs of the nation,” Onanuga stated, highlighting that administrative processes and critical security interventions have continued uninterrupted.
Delegation of Official Duties and UNGA 81
To ensure smooth administrative continuity in Abuja, President Tinubu delegated key executive responsibilities to Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
Vice President Shettima departed Abuja on September 20, 2026, for New York, United States, where he is leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81). Shettima is scheduled to deliver Nigeria’s National Statement on behalf of President Tinubu during the general debate.
With the Vice President currently representing the nation at the UN Assembly, SGF Senator George Akume has been tasked with representing the President at major domestic events and state functions in Abuja.
On the domestic political front, active consultations have continued nationwide. Senator Abubakar Yari, Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), has been leading delegation teams of notable political leaders in strategic consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the geopolitical zones.
Meanwhile, the State House forcefully dismissed criticisms surrounding President Tinubu’s non-attendance at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Addressing comments made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm headed by a convicted individual, the Presidency described the political attacks and insinuations as “baseless and irresponsible.”
The Presidency reiterated that delegating the Vice President to present the country’s address at international summits is a standard diplomatic practice and does not impair Nigeria’s representation or foreign policy objectives.
President Tinubu is expected to land in Abuja at the weekend to resume full physical duties at the Presidential Villa.
