President Bola Tinubu will return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, after extending his European working vacation, with the president scheduled to attend activities marking the country’s 66th Independence anniversary in Lagos.
The president will arrive directly in Lagos, where he is expected to participate in the October 1 Independence Day celebrations and attend the premiere of a documentary on the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola before returning to Abuja.
His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the revised itinerary to The Nation on Sunday evening, explaining that the adjustment was a minor change to the president’s travel plans.
Onanuga said the president would observe the Independence Day ceremony in Lagos and join other dignitaries at the documentary premiere scheduled for the National Theatre.
“Yes, it’s true, he will return on Tuesday. It’s just a slight adjustment to his schedule, so when he’s returning, he’ll be returning to Lagos where he will observe the Independence Day ceremony,” Onanuga said.
He added that Tinubu would attend the documentary premiere before travelling back to Abuja.
The revised schedule means the President’s stay in Europe will extend by two days beyond the weekend return earlier announced by the Presidency.
On September 21, Onanuga had disclosed that Tinubu would return to Nigeria at the weekend after extending his working vacation by a few days.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for Europe to begin a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave, with London, United Kingdom, as his first destination.
After spending about a week in London, the president travelled to Paris, France, where he combined his vacation with official engagements and meetings.
The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu remained in contact with government officials in Nigeria and continued to direct the affairs of government throughout his absence.
Among his engagements in Paris were meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
Bolloré’s business interests include media and digital operations connected to Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
Discussions between Tinubu and the businessman focused on expanding investments in Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.
The president was also in Paris last Thursday when the Ogun State Government signed Memoranda of Understanding with global ports and logistics operator DP World for the development of the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone and the Gateway Deep Seaport.
Tinubu’s return to Lagos on September 29 will place him in Nigeria ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on October 1, which commemorate the country’s independence from Britain in 1960.
Following the anniversary events and the premiere of the MKO Abiola documentary at the National Theatre, the president is expected to return to Abuja.
