RismadarVoice Reporters
September 21, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency announced on Monday.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for London to begin what was initially announced as a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave. He subsequently travelled to Paris, France.
The initial three-week period would have ended around September 20, but the Presidency has now confirmed that the working vacation has been extended by a few days, with the President expected home at the weekend.
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu held separate engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
The President has also continued to issue directives on developments in Nigeria during his absence.
On September 18, Tinubu ordered a full investigation into the deaths of 37 people who had been detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State on suspicion of illegal mining.
The Federal Government subsequently constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Tinubu’s extended stay in Europe means his absence from Nigeria now overlaps with that of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who left for New York on September 20 to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
With both the President and Vice President outside the country during this period, the Presidency said Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would represent Tinubu at official engagements in Nigeria where necessary. The arrangement relates to representation at such events and was not described as a transfer of presidential powers.
Shettima is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements during the UN gathering.
The Federal Government has defended the President’s decision to delegate the UNGA assignment to Shettima, saying the Vice President carries the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Presidency said Tinubu would return to the country at the weekend following the brief extension of his working vacation.
