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Tinubu Departs Paris After Working Vacation In Europe
The Presidency said he remained engaged with officials and investors, while critics questioned his absence after 28 days abroad.
President Bola Tinubu returned to Lagos on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 6:22 p.m. after concluding a four-week working vacation in Europe.
The Presidency defended the trip as a "working vacation," citing Tinubu's facilitation of a $7 billion Gateway Deep Sea Port project with DP World and meetings with business leaders as evidence of continued official engagement.
Constitutional critics, including the African Democratic Congress and former Minister Solomon Dalung, argued the extended absence violated Section 145, which mandates transmission of presidential authority to Vice President Kashim Shettima for vacations exceeding 21 days.
Opposition leaders Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar criticized Tinubu's non-attendance at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, questioning the constitutional implications while Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the gathering.
Tinubu will remain in Lagos through October 1 to participate in Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary, including a film premiere commemorating MKO Abiola, before returning to Abuja for strategic political meetings.