President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, bringing to an end his working vacation in Europe, as Vice President Kashim Shettima returns to the country after representing the President at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
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Tinubu is expected to arrive through Lagos and remain in the state through Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on Thursday, October 1, before returning to Abuja next weekend, according to reports citing Presidency sources.
The latest reported itinerary represents a further adjustment to the President’s return schedule.
The Presidency had announced on September 21 that Tinubu had extended his working vacation by a few days and would return to Nigeria at the weekend. The latest schedule reported by Presidency sources now places his arrival on Tuesday, September 29.
Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for Europe to begin what the Presidency initially described as a three-week working vacation, with London as his first destination.
After spending about a week in the United Kingdom, the President travelled to Paris, France, where the Presidency said he met French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose media interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
Upon his expected arrival in Lagos, Tinubu is scheduled to attend to official responsibilities and remain in the commercial capital through the October 1 Independence anniversary before returning to Abuja.
His expected return comes shortly after Vice President Kashim Shettima returned to Nigeria following his participation in the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Shettima departed Abuja on September 20 after Tinubu mandated him to lead Nigeria’s delegation and represent the country at the annual gathering of world leaders in New York.
During the General Debate, the Vice President delivered Nigeria’s national statement on behalf of Tinubu, renewing the country’s call for reform of the global order, including permanent African representation on the United Nations Security Council.
Shettima also addressed issues including climate financing, technology transfer, artificial intelligence, multilateralism and what Nigeria considers the need for a more representative international system.
His other engagements in New York included meetings with members of the Nigerian diaspora, where he urged them to support efforts aimed at improving the country’s economy and development prospects.
With Shettima now back in the country and Tinubu expected on Tuesday, attention will shift to Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The Federal Government has announced a series of activities to mark the anniversary under the theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity.”
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the anniversary, said the theme reflects the government’s intention to move from difficult economic reforms towards consolidation, growth and improved opportunities for citizens.
The activities began with a World Press Conference in Abuja on September 24, followed by a Juma’at service on Friday, September 25 and a church service on Sunday, September 27.
An Independence Day Public Lecture is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, while President Tinubu is expected to deliver a nationwide Independence Day broadcast on Thursday, October 1.
Akume said the anniversary would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to reflect on the country’s journey since independence, its achievements and continuing challenges, as well as the government’s efforts to consolidate economic reforms.
He acknowledged that the country continued to face poverty, insecurity, infrastructure deficiencies and gaps in healthcare and education despite progress recorded in other areas.
The SGF said the administration’s next challenge was ensuring that gains from reforms translate into jobs, investment, higher incomes, increased production and wider economic opportunities for Nigerians.
Tinubu’s reported decision to spend Independence Day in Lagos would make it the second consecutive October 1 period in which he has been in the state.
The Federal Government had cancelled the ceremonial parade planned for Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary in October 2025, although other commemorative activities proceeded.
Reports later sought to link the cancellation to an alleged plot by some military officers to overthrow the government.
At the time, however, the Defence Headquarters expressly rejected any connection between the cancellation of the Independence Day parade and an alleged coup attempt.
The military said the cancellation was intended, among other reasons, to allow the President attend a strategic bilateral engagement and enable the Armed Forces to sustain operational momentum against terrorism, insurgency and banditry.
The position on whether there had been an alleged plot itself subsequently changed.
In January 2026, the Defence Headquarters announced that a completed investigation into officers who had initially been detained over alleged indiscipline and breaches of service regulations had identified some officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government.
The military said personnel found to have cases to answer would be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels under the Armed Forces Act and applicable service regulations.
That later confirmation, however, did not establish that the October 2025 parade had been cancelled because of the alleged plot; the Defence Headquarters had specifically denied such a linkage.
The matter subsequently moved beyond internal military proceedings.
In April 2026, the Federal Government filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against six persons accused of involvement in an alleged plan to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
The charges included allegations of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing. The defendants pleaded not guilty, and the allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
During Tinubu’s current absence from Nigeria, the Presidency said the President continued to receive briefings and give directives on national matters.
Among them was the death of 37 suspected illegal miners following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna, Niger State.
The Presidency said Tinubu directed an independent investigation into the incident while he was abroad.
The President also delegated Shettima to represent him at official engagements, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, handled selected engagements at home during periods when both Tinubu and Shettima were outside the country.
Tinubu’s expected return also comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.
The ruling All Progressives Congress has constituted its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, with Tinubu as chairman, Vice President Shettima and APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as vice chairmen, and Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General.
Yari and other party leaders have also been involved in consultations as the ruling party steps up its preparations for the election.
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