President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has said.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London, where he began the vacation before travelling to Paris, France, after spending a week in the United Kingdom.
While in Paris, the President met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore, whose media group has interests in Canal+, Multichoice and Universal Music Group.
Despite being away from Nigeria, Tinubu has continued to oversee government affairs and issue directives on matters of national importance.
The Presidency said he recently ordered an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“Since he began the vacation, President Tinubu has continued to keep in touch with home, directing the affairs of the nation,” the statement said.
During his absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented Tinubu at some official engagements. Shettima, however, departed Abuja on September 20 for New York to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, will continue representing the President at official events while Shettima attends the UNGA.
The Presidency also said Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA had generated what it described as “baseless insinuation” from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm headed by an ex-convict.
It described the claims surrounding Tinubu’s non-attendance at the global gathering as “irresponsible.”
Shettima is expected to present Nigeria’s national statement at the 81st UNGA on behalf of the President.
On the political front, the Presidency said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had been leading consultations involving notable political leaders and prominent traditional rulers across the country.
The statement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on September 21, 2026.
