By Idongesit Ashameri, Uyo
President Bola Tinubu is now scheduled to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, ending his extended working vacation in Europe and beginning a Lagos-based official programme ahead of the country’s 66th Independence anniversary.
The revised itinerary puts the President’s return two days before the October 1 anniversary, with Tinubu expected to remain in Lagos for the national celebration and other official engagements before returning to Abuja next weekend.
The development effectively replaces the earlier plan for the President to return at the weekend after the Presidency had announced on September 21 that his stay in Europe had been extended by a few days.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed the revised schedule, saying the adjustment would see Tinubu return through Lagos and participate in Independence Day activities in the commercial capital. ARISE News was among the outlets that reported the revised return plan.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin a three-week annual working vacation. After about a week in the United Kingdom, he proceeded to Paris, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
His European stay also featured discussions on investment and Nigeria’s economic interests, including engagements involving the Bolloré Group and agreements connected with the proposed Ogun State deep-sea port and special economic zone.
Despite his physical absence from the country, the Presidency has maintained that Tinubu remained in regular contact with officials and continued to direct government business from abroad.
During the period, Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented him at several official engagements, including Nigeria’s participation at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Tinubu’s return will now coincide with preparations for the Independence anniversary, with the President expected to deliver his traditional national broadcast on October 1.
His Lagos stay is also expected to include other official duties before he returns to Abuja next weekend, bringing to an end an overseas working vacation that has lasted about four weeks.
The revised schedule means the President will resume physical engagements in Nigeria at a time when attention is already shifting towards the final quarter of the year and the policy and political activities leading into 2027
