By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Lagos after concluding his extended working vacation in Europe, with the President scheduled to hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates and participate in activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Tinubu arrived at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 where Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other dignitaries received him.
The Presidency had earlier announced that the President would return through Lagos before proceeding to Abuja after his engagements in the state.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for London, where he spent about a week before proceeding to Paris, France, as part of the working vacation. The Presidency subsequently extended his stay by a few days before his return.
His arrival in Lagos was confirmed by his Special Assistant on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, who posted on X, “Landing. Welcome home Mr President!”
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu chose to return through Lagos to honour the memory of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the winner of the June 1993 presidential election and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
The President is expected to attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day. The Presidency has also scheduled other activities around the 66th anniversary, including a public lecture on September 30 and the President’s national broadcast on October 1.
While in Lagos, Tinubu is also expected to hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections, according to Onanuga’s statement.
“While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections,” the statement said.
The meetings will form part of the President’s engagements after his return from Europe, although the Presidency did not disclose the identities of the political leaders expected to meet with him.
Tinubu’s working vacation also included engagements in Paris, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
The President also held a private dinner with billionaire businessman Femi Otedola in Paris shortly before his return to Nigeria. Otedola subsequently praised Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying he remained proud of the President and citing developments he attributed to the administration’s policies.
During his stay in Europe, Tinubu also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of a deep-sea port in Ogun Waterside and a Blue Marine Economic Zone. The proposed project is expected to attract $7 billion in investment, according to the Presidency.
The President’s return follows an earlier announcement that he would extend his working vacation by a few days.
The Presidency said that, despite being outside Nigeria, Tinubu remained in touch with developments at home and continued to direct the affairs of government.
Tinubu is expected to remain in Lagos through the Independence Day celebrations before returning to Abuja at the weekend.
