The President on Monday, September 21, 2026, said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend.
This was as the Presidency described as “irresponsible” the insinuation by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm about President Tinubu’s non-attendance at UNGA.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said that this followed the extension of his working vacation by a few days.
President Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin the working vacation and after spending a week in London, he moved to Paris, France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Mr Vincent Bollore, whose media group includes Canal+, Multichoice, and Universal Music Group.
The statement said that since President Tinubu began the vacation, he has continued to keep in touch with home, directing the affairs of the nation, like ordering an independent panel to investigate the death of 37 illegal miners in Minna, following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among other things.
Onanuga also said that while away, President Tinubu delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official functions. The Presidency said that though Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who has also been representing the President at events, will continue to do so.
The statement further said that on the political front, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading notable party leaders in consultations with prominent traditional rulers in the country.
The statement said; “Vice President Shettima, who is representing the President at the global conference, will present Nigeria’s national statement”.
