Tinubu lands in Lagos after weeks in Europe

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Lagos after concluding his working vacation in France, where he held a series of engagements, including a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Tinubu arrived at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, around 6.22pm on Tuesday, where Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other dignitaries received him.

His arrival was confirmed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, who announced on X, “Landing. Welcome home Mr President!”

Tinubu had left Abuja on August 30 for the working vacation, spending about a week in London before proceeding to Paris.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President travelled from Paris to Lagos, where he is scheduled to meet political leaders and associates over the coming days.

The statement said the meetings would form part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

“While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections,” Onanuga said.

The Presidency also said Tinubu’s decision to return to Nigeria through Lagos was partly to honour the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 1993 presidential election and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

As part of the Independence Day activities on October 1, Tinubu is expected to attend the premiere of a film celebrating Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.

The President’s return to Nigeria comes after several weeks of engagements outside the country. During his stay in France, he also attended a private dinner with Macron, among other activities.

His Lagos engagements are expected to continue over the next several days before he returns to Abuja.