By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA—BARRING any last-minute change, President Bola Tinubu is expected to return to the country tomorrow, ending a four-week working vacation in Europe
Upon his return, the President is scheduled to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary in Lagos before returning to Abuja next weekend
He was earlier expected to return to Abuja at the weekend before the change of schedule
Presidency sources revealed yesterday that Tinubu would arrive through Lagos, where he is expected to be received at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
The President is expected to remain in Lagos through Thursday, October 1, when he will mark the Independence anniversary and deliver a national broadcast
The Federal Government has already announced that the President’s Independence Day broadcast will form part of the activities for the 66th anniversary, with other events including a public lecture scheduled for September 30
Tinubu’s decision to spend the anniversary period in Lagos would make it the second consecutive year that he would observe Nigeria’s Independence Day in the commercial capital
Last year, the President also marked the anniversary in Lagos amid heightened security concerns, following the emergence of allegations of a planned military coup
The federal government subsequently cancelled the Independence Day parade scheduled for October 1, 2025
Military officers and civilian collaborators linked to the alleged plot to overthrow the government are facing trial while still in detention
The President is expected to remain in Lagos for a few days after the anniversary to attend to official engagements before returning to Abuja next weekend
Tinubu’s return marks the end of an extended working vacation that began on August 30, when he departed Abuja for London
The Presidency had initially announced a three-week annual leave, with London designated as his first stop
After spending about a week in London, the President travelled to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President, Emmanuel Macron, and businessman, Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group
On September 21, the Presidency announced that Tinubu would extend his stay by a few days, saying he would return to Nigeria at the weekend The latest itinerary, however, puts his return to tomorrow, September 29.
Despite his absence from the country, the President has continued to receive briefings and issue directives on matters of national importance
Among the major developments during his absence was his directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners held in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State
The federal government subsequently constituted a 10-member independent investigative committee, while several NSCDC officers were suspended, pending the outcome of the inquiry The cause and circumstances of the deaths remain subject to investigation.
During the President’s absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him at several official engagements, including Nigeria’s participation in the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York
Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA, where he delivered Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of the President
With the Vice President also out of the country, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has continued to represent the President at selected official functions, in line with the Presidency’s earlier arrangements
The President’s return also comes against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 general elections The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has in recent weeks led party leaders in consultations with traditional and religious leaders in different parts of the country as part of the party’s mobilisation ahead of the elections.
With Tinubu expected back in Lagos on Tuesday, attention will now shift to his Independence Day address, his post-vacation engagements and the resumption of presidential activities from Abuja next weekend