President Bola Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria today after spending nearly two weeks abroad, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has confirmed.
In a brief post shared on X on Monday, Onanuga wrote, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today.”
Earlier, the Presidency had assured Nigerians that the President remained fully engaged with national governance despite his stay overseas.
In a statement released last Thursday, Onanuga said, “The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.”
He emphasised that Tinubu’s absence was temporary and “in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks,” with his return scheduled for April 21, after the Easter holidays.
“The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership.
“We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption,” the statement added.
Tinubu had departed for Paris on April 2, 2025, for what the Presidency described as a two-week working visit.
According to Onanuga, the purpose was to “appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones.”
Since Tinubu’s absence from the country, there has been a surge in killings and abductions by gunmen in several parts of the country, notably in Plateau and Benue states.
Opposition leaders like Atiku Abubakar have expressed concerns over the president’s continued stay abroad, “as Nigeria bleeds”.
On April 16, Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, asked the president to suspend his France retreat amid the worsening insecurity back home.
Responding to the concerns, the presidency said Tinubu has maintained communication with key government officials since his departure.
The presidency had said the president left Paris for London on the weekend that preceded April 17.
