Tinubu Set to Return to Nigeria Today – Presidency

The Presidency has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu will to return to Nigeria today after spending nearly two weeks abroad.

This was made known in a brief statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga,

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today,” Onanuga wrote on X.

The Presidency had earlier assured Nigerians that the President remained fully engaged with national governance despite his stay overseas.

“The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters,” Onanuga said last Thursday.

“The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership. We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption.”

Tinubu’s prolonged stay abroad had sparked criticism from opposition leaders amid growing insecurity in parts of the country. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized Tinubu’s continued stay abroad, describing it as “irresponsibility on the part of the APC-led government.”

“Tinubu is away while Nigeria burns—daily killings, attacks, and loss of territories. This is deeply troubling. Nigerians are yearning for real leadership—someone who’s present and actively engaged.”

Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also urged Tinubu to return immediately to address the worsening security crisis. “In the two weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity,” he said, citing attacks in Plateau, Zamfara, Borno, and Benue. “I urge Mr President to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and rush home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues.”

The APC’s Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed claims of a leadership vacuum. “Simply because the President is out of the country does not mean he is not piloting the affairs of the nation,” he said. “You cannot say that a country where the Vice President is actively representing the President is in a vacuum. A country with that level of leadership engagement is not leaderless.”