President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ended his working vacation and departed Paris, France, for Nigeria, State House said in a statement on Tuesday. His aircraft is expected to touch down at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, later this evening.
The presidency said Tinubu chose to fly to Lagos first to honour Chief MKO Abiola, described in the statement as the martyr of Nigeria’s democratic struggle. On Independence Day, the President will attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola, the winner of the June 1993 election, at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
While in Lagos, Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections, according to the statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy).
Tinubu departed Abuja on Aug. 30 for the working vacation. He spent one week in London before heading to Paris.
While in Paris, he attended a private dinner with President Emmanuel Macron. He also met business leaders, including Mr Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, whose media and digital interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group. On Monday, he met Femi Otedola, chairman of First Holdings.
Last week, the President witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World to build a Gateway deep seaport in Ogun Waterside and create a Blue Marine Economic Zone in the area. DP World, one of the world’s leading ports and logistics operators, plans to invest $7 billion in the seaport and economic zone.
The statement said Tinubu will return to Abuja after his political engagements in Lagos.