President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after a four-week working vacation in Europe, dismissing concerns about his health and declaring that he is “healthy, sound, and ready to go.”
The President spoke to journalists on Tuesday shortly after arriving at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following his stay in France.
Responding to questions about concerns raised over his health during his extended stay abroad, Tinubu said there was no cause for alarm.
“Ready to kick, ready to walk. There’s nothing wrong. Rumour will always be emanating from politics, but the facts remain: I’m here. Healthy, sound, and ready to go,” he said.
Tinubu’s aircraft touched down in Lagos at about 6:22pm, where he was received by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, and other senior government officials.
Also at the airport were the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, alongside a cultural troupe that welcomed the President.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for the working vacation, initially spending about a week in London before proceeding to Paris, where he held several engagements. The Presidency later announced an extension of his stay by a few days.
Before his return, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced that Tinubu had departed Paris for Lagos.
According to the Presidency, the President chose Lagos as his first destination to honour the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, who won the June 12, 1993 presidential election and became a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Tinubu is expected to attend the October 1 premiere of a movie celebrating Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.
The Presidency also said the President would hold meetings with political leaders and associates in Lagos ahead of the 2027 general elections.
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu held a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and met business figures, including Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group.
He also witnessed the signing of agreements between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Economic Zone. The projects are expected to attract more than $7bn in investment, according to the Presidency.
Tinubu’s return brings to an end his extended working vacation, during which the Presidency maintained that he remained in touch with developments in Nigeria and continued to direct the affairs of government from abroad.
