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President Bola Tinubu has postponed his return to Nigeria following a last-minute change to his travel itinerary, according to sources familiar with his schedule.
Tinubu had been expected to return to the country this weekend after the Presidency earlier announced that he had extended his stay in Europe by a few days. His return is now expected on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The reason for the latest change had not been disclosed as of Sunday morning.
Sources had earlier indicated that the President was expected to arrive in Lagos, where he could remain for several days before proceeding to Abuja.
Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin a three-week working vacation as part of his annual leave. The Presidency subsequently announced that he had extended his stay abroad.
After spending about a week in the United Kingdom, the President travelled to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
In its September 21 announcement, the Presidency said Tinubu would return to Nigeria at the weekend following the extension of his working vacation. It also said the President had remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to direct government affairs while abroad.
During his absence, Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented the President at some official engagements. Shettima subsequently travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The Presidency said Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would also continue to represent the President at official functions.
The latest adjustment to Tinubu’s return schedule comes amid public discussion over the constitutional implications of the President’s prolonged absence from the country.
Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution provides for the President to transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office. The provision also addresses the circumstances under which the Vice-President performs the functions of President in an acting capacity.
The interpretation and application of the provision have generated differing views among opposition politicians, lawyers and other commentators since Tinubu’s absence extended beyond the initially announced three-week vacation. Some have questioned whether the constitutional procedure for transferring presidential functions should have been invoked, while the Presidency has maintained that Tinubu has remained in contact with officials and continued to direct government affairs from abroad.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has also said there is no vacancy in Aso Rock and that Tinubu remains in charge of the country’s affairs despite his absence from Nigeria.
As of Sunday morning, the Presidency had not publicly disclosed the reason for the latest alteration to the President’s travel plans.
President Bola Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30, 2026, for a three-week working vacation beginning in London before travelling to Paris.
The Presidency announced on September 21 that he had extended the vacation by a few days and would return at the weekend.
That return plan was subsequently revised, with sources now indicating that he is expected back in Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29.
The extended absence has also generated a constitutional discussion concerning Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, particularly the procedure for the Vice-President to perform presidential functions when the President is on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.
Different political actors and legal commentators have expressed differing interpretations of the provision, while the Presidency has maintained that Tinubu has continued to direct government affairs from abroad.
