President Bola Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, after spending about four weeks in Europe on what the Presidency initially described as a working vacation.
The President is expected to return through Lagos rather than Abuja and remain in the commercial capital through Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day on October 1.
Presidency sources said on Sunday that Tinubu would arrive at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to receive him.
His return itinerary represents a change from the earlier plan for him to arrive over the weekend.
Tinubu is expected to spend Independence Day in Lagos, where he will deliver a national broadcast as part of activities marking the anniversary.
The Federal Government has also scheduled a public lecture for September 30.
The President’s decision to remain in Lagos for the anniversary means he will mark the occasion in the city for the second year running.
First Daily recalls, in 2025, Tinubu observed the anniversary in Lagos against the backdrop of heightened security concerns following allegations of a plot to overthrow his administration.
The Federal Government subsequently cancelled the Independence Day parade planned for October 1.
Military personnel and civilians accused of involvement in the alleged coup plot are currently standing trial while in detention.
Tinubu is expected to remain in Lagos for several days after the anniversary to attend to official duties before travelling to Abuja next weekend.
His return will end an extended stay that began on August 30, when he left Abuja for London after the Presidency announced a three-week annual leave.
The President spent about a week in London before proceeding to Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré. Bolloré’s business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
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Although the Presidency announced on September 21 that Tinubu would extend his stay by a few days and return at the weekend, the latest schedule indicates that his arrival has been moved to Tuesday.
The President has remained engaged with government affairs throughout his vacation, receiving briefings and issuing directives on national matters.
One significant intervention was his order for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.
Following the directive, the Federal Government set up a 10-member independent investigative committee and suspended several NSCDC officers pending the outcome of the inquiry. The circumstances surrounding the deaths have yet to be established conclusively.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Kashim Shettima assumed a prominent role in official engagements during Tinubu’s absence.
Shettima travelled to New York on September 20 to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly and delivered the country’s national statement on behalf of the President.
With Shettima also outside Nigeria, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented Tinubu at some official functions in accordance with the arrangements made by the Presidency.