By Paul Joseph
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Paris, France, for Nigeria after concluding his working vacation abroad, with his aircraft expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday evening, September 29, 2026.
The Presidency said Tinubu decided to return through Lagos ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary celebrations, including an event honouring the memory of late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu is expected to remain in Lagos for several days, during which he will meet political leaders and associates.
The President is also scheduled to attend the premiere of a movie celebrating Abiola’s contribution to Nigeria’s democratic struggle at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, on October 1.
During his stay in France, Tinubu held meetings with business figures and other stakeholders as part of the engagements described by the Presidency as his working vacation.
The President met Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, whose business interests include media and digital companies such as Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
Tinubu also held a meeting with First HoldCo Chairman, Femi Otedola.
The President further attended a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron during his time in Paris.
Tinubu also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World during his European trip.
The Presidency said DP World, a global ports and logistics operator, is expected to invest $7 billion in the seaport and associated economic zone.
The project is part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to attract private-sector investment into infrastructure and logistics.
News of Tinubu’s expected arrival in Lagos has generated discussions online, particularly over the length of his stay outside Nigeria and the Presidency’s description of the trip as a working vacation.
The President departed Abuja on August 30 for what the Presidency described as a working vacation. He initially spent about one week in London before travelling to Paris.
During his stay abroad, the Presidency maintained that Tinubu remained engaged in official duties and highlighted his meetings with investors, business leaders and other stakeholders.
However, questions have also been raised by some commentators over the constitutional procedure governing presidential absence and extended periods outside the country.
A September 28 programme by News Central TV featured a discussion on Tinubu’s return and the constitutional questions surrounding his absence.
During the programme, human rights lawyer Festus Ogun argued that Section 145 of the Nigerian Constitution raises questions concerning presidential absence and the transmission of presidential powers.
Those were Ogun’s views expressed during the television programme and do not constitute a judicial determination.
The online debate has consequently centred on two separate issues: the President’s stated official engagements while abroad and questions from some commentators about the constitutional provisions governing presidential vacations and extended periods outside Nigeria.
Other social-media discussions have focused on Tinubu’s decision to return through Lagos and his planned attendance at the event honouring MKO Abiola.
Tinubu’s arrival in Lagos is expected to precede several political and public engagements.
His appearance at the MKO Abiola movie premiere on October 1 will place the President at an event commemorating one of the central figures in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The President is also expected to meet political leaders and associates during his stay in Lagos, with the Presidency saying the meetings will focus on political matters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu’s Lagos engagements come as political parties and potential contenders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
After completing his engagements in Lagos, the President is expected to return to Abuja.
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