President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday departed Abuja for a 10-day working vacation in Europe, the presidency announced.
According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the trip forms part of the president’s 2025 annual leave.
Tinubu is expected to spend the vacation between France and the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria. Onanuga explained that the leave will last 10 working days, noting that the president will combine rest with official engagements while abroad.
The announcement did not indicate whether the president had transmitted a formal letter to the National Assembly as required under Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the Vice President to act in his absence. Both chambers of the legislature are currently on recess.
The latest vacation comes shortly after the president concluded official trips to Japan and Brazil in August. In Yokohama, Japan, he attended the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development and held meetings with Japanese companies exploring opportunities in Nigeria. He later proceeded to Brasilia on a state visit at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
During the visit, both countries signed agreements covering trade, aviation, agriculture, and energy. The agreements included discussions to facilitate the return of Petrobras to Nigeria’s energy sector and plans for a direct Lagos–São Paulo flight service by Air Peace.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has maintained a busy international travel schedule. Records show that in his first 17 months in office, he and Vice President Kashim Shettima embarked on 41 trips across 26 countries, collectively spending 180 days abroad.
While supporters view these trips as critical for Nigeria’s diplomatic visibility and international partnerships, critics argue that they have yet to deliver immediate economic benefits to citizens grappling with inflation, insecurity, and tough living conditions.
