Tinubu extends working leave by one week – Nigeria’s Presidency
By KEMI KASUMU
Onanuga said that despite being away from Nigeria, Tinubu had remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct the affairs of government.
The Presidency in Nigeria announces a one-week extension of President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing working leave, saying he is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, explaining that the extension would enable the President to continue his working engagements abroad for a few more days.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week annual leave, with London, United Kingdom, as his first destination. The State House had initially said he would return after the working vacation to resume his engagements ahead of the January 2027 elections.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu subsequently travelled to Paris, France, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose group’s interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group. The State House separately confirmed the President’s engagements in Paris, although it did not disclose the President’s destination in Europe in the initial statement.
Onanuga said that despite being away from Nigeria, Tinubu had remained in contact with officials at home and continued to direct the affairs of government.
Among the issues the President has addressed during the leave was the death of suspected illegal miners detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State. Tinubu ordered a full and transparent investigation into the deaths on September 18.
The Presidency said Vice President Kashim Shettima had continued to represent Tinubu at some official engagements, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, would also continue to represent the President at official functions.
The development comes as the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly enters its high-level week in New York. The UN has scheduled the general debate for September 22–28, 2026.
Shettima is representing Nigeria at the UN General Assembly and is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of the President.
The Presidency also dismissed as “baseless” and “irresponsible” comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm regarding Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly.
On the political front, the Presidency said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had continued consultations with prominent traditional rulers alongside other party leaders.
Tinubu’s extended leave is expected to end at the weekend, according to the Presidency.
