Tinubu Departs Abuja for 10-Day Working Vacation in Europe

Tinubu Departs Abuja for 10-Day Working Vacation in Europe

By Abiola Adigun

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday departed Abuja to begin his 2025 annual leave, which will be spent partly in France and the United Kingdom.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s vacation will last ten working days. He is expected to return to the country after the break.
Tinubu’s trip is described as a working vacation, meaning he will continue to attend to official duties remotely while also taking time off. The practice is not unusual among Nigerian presidents, who often combine rest with work engagements abroad.
Former presidents, including Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, at different times, spent part of their annual leave in Europe, sometimes sparking public debates on healthcare, governance continuity, and reliance on foreign facilities.
Analysts note that Tinubu’s choice of France and the UK mirrors his earlier travels since assuming office in 2023, with Paris in particular serving as one of his preferred destinations for diplomatic consultations.
The presidency did not disclose whether the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, will act on behalf of the President during the period, though by constitutional provision, the Vice President automatically assumes responsibility when the President is away.
Tinubu’s departure comes at a time his administration is pushing through economic and security reforms, which have dominated policy conversations in recent months.