Tinubu Extends Working Vacation, Fixes New Return Date

President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and will return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency said Monday.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London before proceeding to Paris, France, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore.

Despite his absence, the Presidency said Tinubu had remained in touch with developments at home and continued to direct the affairs of government.

It cited his order for an independent panel to investigate the death of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who had represented Tinubu at some official functions, left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

Shettima will represent the President at the global gathering and present Nigeria’s national statement, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, will continue to represent Tinubu at other official events.

The Presidency also dismissed as “irresponsible” insinuations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm over Tinubu’s non-attendance at the UN General Assembly.

On the political front, it said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had been leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.

The statement was signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on September 21, 2026.