President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to depart Lagos for Abuja on Monday evening after spending six days in the state.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the planned departure in a statement issued on Monday. Tinubu arrived in Lagos on September 29 after concluding his working vacation in London and Paris.
Tinubu’s Lagos engagements
Tinubu spent his six-day stay in Lagos attending to official activities and events linked to Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
On October 1, the President delivered a nationwide broadcast to mark the anniversary. During the address, he spoke about his administration’s economic reforms and described the country as moving from an era of reforms towards an era of prosperity.
The Independence anniversary was one of the main reasons the Presidency had announced for Tinubu’s return through Lagos. The government had earlier said he would participate in anniversary activities before returning to Abuja.
The President also attended the national premiere of “MKO” on October 1. The documentary focuses on the life, political struggle and legacy of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and the June 12 pro-democracy struggle.
The premiere was held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos. The event formed part of activities marking the Independence anniversary and commemorating Abiola’s place in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The Lagos visit also followed several weeks that Tinubu spent outside Nigeria. The Presidency said he had travelled to London on August 30 before moving to Paris, where he held engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
President visits Oba of Lagos
On Sunday, Tinubu visited the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, at the monarch’s Iga Iduganran Palace on Lagos Island.
The visit was among the President’s engagements during his stay in the state. It came a day before his scheduled departure for Abuja.
Tinubu’s return to the capital will mark the end of his post-vacation stay in Lagos. He had returned to Nigeria through Lagos on September 29 after spending about four weeks abroad on what the Presidency described as a working vacation.
During his time in Europe, the President held meetings and other engagements. The Presidency previously said he remained in contact with officials in Nigeria while away from the country.
His return to Abuja also follows the conclusion of the 66th Independence Anniversary activities. Nigeria marked 66 years of independence on October 1, with events taking place in Lagos and other parts of the country.
The President’s absence from Abuja during the anniversary period also meant that some official duties were delegated to other senior government officials. Vice President Kashim Shettima, for instance, represented Tinubu at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Shettima had earlier arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly, where he represented Nigeria and delivered the country’s national statement.
Tinubu skipped UN General Assembly
Tinubu did not personally attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Instead, Shettima led the Nigerian delegation to the international gathering. The Presidency had confirmed earlier that the Vice President would represent Tinubu at the UNGA while the President remained on his working vacation.
Shettima’s participation included Nigeria’s engagements on issues such as reforms to international institutions, sustainable development, climate finance and stronger representation for developing countries.
The Vice President’s UNGA role also followed previous instances in which he represented the President at international events. The Presidency had said Tinubu would remain engaged with national affairs despite his physical absence from Abuja.
The President’s return comes as the administration continues to focus on economic and development issues. Recent government messaging has included efforts to reduce transportation costs, with Tinubu previously saying Nigerians should begin to see lower fares from October.
The President had said Nigerians would see lower transport fares from October 1 as states implement the Federal Government’s compressed natural gas transport programme.
Tinubu’s return follows European vacation
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London before travelling to Paris, France.
During the European stay, he met with Macron and held other engagements. The Presidency also said the President met Vincent Bolloré and executives of the Bolloré Group over possible investments involving Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.
The State House later announced that Tinubu’s working vacation had been extended by a few days. It said the extension would allow him to conclude some engagements before returning to Nigeria.
He eventually arrived in Lagos on September 29. Channels Television reported that the presidential aircraft landed at the Presidential Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 6:22 p.m.
After his arrival, Tinubu participated in activities connected to the Independence anniversary. He also held meetings and other engagements during his stay in Lagos before preparing to return to Abuja.
The President’s return to the capital comes at a time of continued political and economic activity across the country. Recent developments have included preparations for the 2027 elections, discussions around infrastructure and economic growth, and government programmes targeting transportation and energy costs.
In Enugu, for example, NACCIMA recently backed the state’s $30bn economic ambition while highlighting security and investment as factors in economic development.
The Federal Government has also continued to promote investment opportunities in strategic sectors. The RMAFC has sought Chinese investment to boost Nigeria’s oil and gas revenue, adding to ongoing discussions about attracting foreign capital.
What happens after Tinubu returns?
The President’s scheduled departure from Lagos will return him to Abuja after his post-vacation engagements in the commercial capital.
His Lagos stay lasted six days, beginning with his arrival on September 29 and ending with his planned departure on October 5. The Presidency said the visit followed his return from Europe and included official duties as well as Independence anniversary events.
Tinubu’s return also comes after a period. This was when Vice President Shettima and other officials handled some presidential responsibilities during his absence.
The President had previously delegated Shettima to represent him at the UN General Assembly. The Vice President’s participation ensured that Nigeria maintained representation at the international gathering while Tinubu remained in Lagos.
The administration is also expected to continue implementing programmes already announced in areas such as transport, energy and economic development. Earlier, the government announced efforts to expand CNG infrastructure and reduce transportation costs.
The NNPC’s launch of a smart self-service filling station in Abuja is one example of recent efforts to expand modern fuel and mobility infrastructure.
The President’s return to Abuja therefore ends his six-day Lagos stay after his European working vacation. Further presidential engagements and official activities are expected to continue from the nation’s capital.
