The Presidency has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return to Nigeria today, Monday, April 21, following a nearly two-week stay in Europe.
The confirmation was made on X by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
He wrote, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today.”
Tinubu’s time abroad, during which he travelled from Paris to London, has drawn criticism from opposition figures over his absence amid rising insecurity across parts of Nigeria.
Tribune Online reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently condemned Tinubu’s stay abroad amid the ongoing security crises, particularly in Plateau and Benue states.
However, the Presidency maintained a few days ago that Tinubu remained fully in charge throughout his stay overseas.
In a statement released last Thursday, Onanuga clarified that the President “remains fully engaged in Nigeria’s governance” and has been in “constant communication with key government officials.”
He further stated that Tinubu had issued “directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.”
The statement, titled ‘Statement On President Tinubu’s Return To Nigeria’, assured the public that the President’s absence “is temporary and in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks.”
“The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership,” Onanuga said, urging calm and reiterating that “governance proceeds without interruption.”
“The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.
“His return to Abuja and the resumption of duties at Aso Villa will follow the conclusion of the Easter holiday.
“We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption,” the statement read.