President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and is now expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend.
Tinubu had departed Nigeria on August 30 for London, where he began the working vacation before proceeding to Paris, France, after spending about a week in the United Kingdom.
The extension is to enable the President to complete his engagements outside the country before returning to Abuja at the weekend.
During his stay in France, Tinubu met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
Despite being away from Nigeria, the President has continued to attend to official matters and issue directives on developments at home.
Among other decisions, Tinubu ordered an independent investigation into the deaths of 37 illegal miners in Minna following their detention by personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
He has also continued to receive briefings on national issues and direct the affairs of government remotely.
While the President has been away, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented him at several official engagements.
Shettima had also travelled to New York to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. With the Vice President away, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has continued to represent the President at some official functions.
The President’s extended absence has also coincided with political activities within the ruling party, with the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, leading consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has dismissed claims that Tinubu’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly was due to any inability to attend.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described suggestions by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying firm regarding the President’s absence from the UNGA as irresponsible.
The Presidency explained that Shettima was representing Tinubu at the global gathering and would deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria at the weekend following the completion of his extended working vacation and engagements abroad.