President Tinubu
Bolatito Mercy
President Bola Tinubu has shifted the start of his three-nation trip to France, Kenya, and Rwanda from Saturday to Sunday, May 3, 2026, according to a terse statement from his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The original departure was set for Saturday, May 2, but Onanuga posted late Saturday that “President Tinubu has rescheduled his three-nation trip to begin on Sunday, rather than Saturday as previously indicated”. No reason was given for the one-day delay.
The trip will begin with a stop in France before Tinubu proceeds to Nairobi, Kenya, for the Africa-France Summit scheduled for May 11–12. The summit is co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto and will focus on energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, restructuring of global financing architecture, and climate action.
With the theme “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth”, the Nairobi gathering provides a high-level platform for African leaders and their French counterparts to discuss economic transformation, climate resilience, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, technological advancement, and peace-building initiatives. Onanuga said Tinubu’s participation “will underscore Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with African nations and the French Republic”.
After the Kenya engagement, the President will travel to Kigali, Rwanda, for the annual Africa CEO Forum taking place May 14–15. This year’s theme is “Scale or Fail”, and the forum is expected to be the largest gathering of African private sector leaders, investors, and policymakers. Held in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, it will bring together over 2,000 top executives and national leaders to debate strategies for building resilient, competitive industries through regional integration and increased cross-border investment.
At both summits, Tinubu is expected to deliver statements highlighting his administration’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria as a prime destination for investment and growth. He will also hold high-level meetings with African and global business leaders, heads of state, and senior executives from major companies.
The President will be accompanied on the trip by some ministers and senior aides. He is expected to return to Nigeria after the Rwanda leg of the trip.
The rescheduling was disclosed via Onanuga’s official X handle late Saturday, May 2. While the presidency did not explain the change, the rest of the itinerary remains unchanged, with the Africa-France Summit and Africa CEO Forum dates fixed for May 11–12 and May 14–15 respectively.
