Tinubu extends working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, according to the Presidency.
The development was announced on Monday, September 21, by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, who said Tinubu would return to the country after extending his stay abroad. The announcement comes as Vice-President Kashim Shettima represents Nigeria at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London, where he began his working vacation before travelling to Paris, France, after spending about a week in the United Kingdom. During his time in Paris, the President held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The Presidency described the trip as a working vacation and said Tinubu had continued to keep in touch with officials at home while directing government affairs despite being outside the country.
Tinubu Extends Working Vacation as Shettima Represents Nigeria at UNGA
According to the Presidency, Tinubu’s extended stay in Europe has not prevented him from receiving updates on developments in Nigeria or issuing directives on matters requiring his attention. The State House cited the President’s decision to order an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna while he was away as one example of his continued involvement in government affairs.
The Presidency also said Tinubu had delegated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official functions during his absence. Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York, where he is representing the President at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The UN General Assembly is bringing together representatives of member states for discussions on major international issues, with the high-level segment taking place in New York this week. Shettima is expected to present Nigeria’s national statement as part of the country’s participation in the global meeting.
With Shettima in New York, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, will continue representing the President at some official engagements in Nigeria, according to the Presidency. Akume had already been standing in for Tinubu at some events during the President’s absence.
The arrangement means that while the President remains in Europe for the extended working vacation, Nigeria’s participation at the United Nations gathering is being led by the Vice-President, while other senior government officials continue to handle assigned engagements at home.
Tinubu Expected Back in Nigeria at Weekend
Tinubu’s current trip began on August 30, when he travelled from Nigeria to London for his working vacation. After about a week in the United Kingdom, he proceeded to Paris, where his engagements included meetings with Macron and Bolloré.
The Presidency has now confirmed that the President will extend his stay by a few more days before returning to Nigeria at the weekend. The announcement provides a new expected timeframe for his return after he had remained abroad since the end of August.
The extension also coincides with the start of the 81st UN General Assembly, where Shettima is representing the President and leading Nigeria’s delegation. The Vice-President’s presence at the meeting ensures that Nigeria is represented at the high-level diplomatic gathering despite Tinubu remaining in Europe.
The Presidency has also responded to criticism surrounding Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly. In its statement announcing the extension, it rejected what it described as claims questioning the President’s decision not to attend the meeting in person and maintained that Shettima had been authorised to represent him at the global conference.
Meanwhile, political activities have continued in Nigeria during the President’s absence. The Presidency said Senator Abubakar Yari, Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, has been leading consultations involving prominent party leaders and traditional rulers across the country.
For now, the Presidency expects Tinubu to return to Nigeria at the weekend after extending his working vacation in Europe. Until then, Shettima will continue representing the President at the UN General Assembly in New York, while other senior officials remain responsible for engagements assigned to them within the country.
