Bolatito Mercy
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after a four-week working vacation in Europe, saying he enjoyed his time away and was ready to resume his duties.
Tinubu spoke with journalists shortly after arriving in Lagos from Paris, France, on Tuesday, September 29, aboard Nigerian Air Force One.
Asked about his trip, the President responded, “I enjoyed myself. Fantastic.”
Tinubu also addressed questions about concerns raised during his extended stay abroad, particularly speculation about his health.
The President said there was nothing wrong with him and declared that he was healthy and ready to return to work.
“Ready to kick, ready to walk. There’s nothing wrong,” Tinubu said, adding that rumours would always emerge in politics but that he was back in the country.
The President departed Abuja on August 30 for what the Presidency initially described as a three-week working vacation, travelling first to London before proceeding to Paris.
During his stay in France, Tinubu held a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and met with business figures, including Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group and Femi Otedola, Chairman of First HoldCo Plc.
The President also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the proposed development of a Gateway Deep Sea Port in Ogun Waterside and a Blue Marine Economic Zone. The project has been projected to attract $7 billion in investment.
The Presidency later announced that Tinubu had extended his stay abroad by a few days. It maintained that he remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs while away.
His prolonged absence also generated political debate, particularly concerning the constitutional procedure for transferring presidential functions during an extended absence. Opposition figures raised questions about the issue, while the Presidency maintained that the President continued to discharge his responsibilities during the working vacation.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 6:22 p.m., where he was received by senior government officials and political leaders.
The President is expected to remain in Lagos for the 66th Independence anniversary and attend the premiere of a film honouring the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, on October 1.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates in Lagos before returning to Abuja.
