Presidency Says Tinubu Is Well, Expected Back This Week

Nigeria’s Presidency says President Bola Tinubu is well and expected to return to the country during the week, after several weeks abroad on what presidential aide Bayo Onanuga described as a working vacation. The reports do not confirm that Tinubu has returned; the stated timing and details of his activities abroad come from Onanuga’s account. Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy, said in a social media post that Tinubu was hale and hearty and had continued working while away. He argued that the president did not need to be physically present in Abuja to carry out his duties, saying he remained able to direct government affairs remotely. The president left Nigeria on August 30 for a vacation the Presidency initially described as lasting three weeks. The Presidency later said he had extended the trip by a few days. Tinubu was absent from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria. Onanuga said Tinubu had met investors in France and had facilitated a proposed $7 billion deep-sea port project at Ogun Waterside, an initiative of the Ogun State Government.