President Bola Tinubu has departed Paris for Lagos after ending his extended working vacation in Europe, with his immediate schedule expected to include meetings with political associates ahead of the 2027 general elections. The President is expected to arrive in Lagos on Tuesday through the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, marking the end […]
President Bola Tinubu has departed Paris for Lagos after ending his extended working vacation in Europe, with his immediate schedule expected to include meetings with political associates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President is expected to arrive in Lagos on Tuesday through the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, marking the end of his weeks-long stay outside Nigeria.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 and first travelled to London, where he spent about a week before proceeding to Paris, France.
The Presidency later extended his working vacation by several days, with the President now returning to Nigeria through Lagos rather than Abuja.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu’s decision to head to Lagos is partly connected to his plans to honour the late MKO Abiola, who remains a major figure in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The President is expected to attend a movie premiere in Abiola’s honour at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, on October 1.
The date also coincides with Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, which Tinubu is expected to mark in Lagos for the second consecutive year.
However, the President’s Lagos itinerary will not be limited to Independence Day activities, as the Presidency said he will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections.
The planned political engagements come as parties and political groups intensify consultations ahead of the next general elections.
Tinubu’s European trip also included a number of high-level engagements. In Paris, he met French President Emmanuel Macron during a private dinner.
He also met Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include media and digital platforms such as Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
On Monday, the President held another meeting with Femi Otedola, Chairman of First Holdings.
Tinubu also witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the construction of a Gateway deep seaport in Ogun Waterside and the establishment of a Blue Marine Economic Zone.
The Presidency said the project is expected to attract a $7 billion investment from DP World.
During his absence from Nigeria, Vice President Kashim Shettima represented the President at several official engagements, including the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Presidency had also said Tinubu remained in contact with officials and continued directing government affairs while abroad.
His arrival in Lagos therefore marks the resumption of his physical engagements in Nigeria following the extended European working vacation.
After attending to his political and official commitments in Lagos and the Independence Day programme, Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja the following weekend.