President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed speculation about his health following his return to Nigeria after 30 days abroad, declaring that he is healthy and ready to resume work.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
He spoke to journalists shortly after arriving at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, at the conclusion of an extended working vacation in Europe. The presidential aircraft landed at about 6.22 p.m.
“I’m ready to kick, ready to work. There’s nothing wrong with my health,” he said, attributing the speculation to politics.
“Rumour will always be emanating from politics, but the facts remain I’m here. Healthy, sound, and ready to go.”
Asked how he had found his time away, he replied: “I enjoyed myself.”
He was received at the airport by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau; the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Governor of Kwara State, Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside other government officials and political leaders.
Also reported at the airport were the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudasiru Obasa; Senator Idiat Adebule; the Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; the former lawmaker Mr. Farouk Lawan; and other political figures.
His Special Assistant on Social Media, Mr. Olusegun Dada, confirmed the arrival on X, writing: “Landing. Welcome home Mr President!” and subsequently posting footage of the reception.
Supporters had gathered around the Presidential Wing hours before the arrival, with groups of women and youths, including members of political support organisations, singing, drumming and displaying welcome banners carrying messages of support for the administration and its political agenda.
Security personnel were heavily deployed around the airport and along the route used by the presidential convoy, and the return produced movement restrictions and heavy traffic around the airport and adjoining roads as officials cleared the route.
Speaking at the airport, the Speaker of the House of Representatives expressed optimism about the period ahead. “It is incredibly nice to have him after one month away,” he said, adding that he expected the President to return with renewed energy to continue his duties.
The President left Abuja on 30 August for what the Presidency originally announced as a three-week vacation forming part of his annual leave, with London as his first destination. He spent one week there before proceeding to Paris.
When the initial three-week period elapsed, the presidential spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, announced on 21 September that the working vacation had been extended by a few days.
Throughout the period, the Presidency maintained that the President remained in communication with officials at home and continued to direct government affairs from abroad, and said that the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, had been delegated to represent him at some official engagements.
The extension generated political debate over the absence, including the question whether presidential powers ought formally to have been transmitted to the Vice President under section 145 of the Constitution.
The African Action Congress subsequently instituted an action against the President and the National Assembly over the vacation, alleging that he failed to make the constitutional notification it considered necessary before proceeding on the trip. The case remains a pending legal challenge, and no determination on the merits was reported at the time of his return.
Against the criticism generated by the absence, Senator Adams Oshiomhole argued that presidential communications and official actions undertaken during the period showed that the President remained involved in government business while abroad.
While in Paris, the President held a private dinner with the President of France, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, and met the businessman Mr. Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group. He also met Mr. Femi Otedola, Chairman of First HoldCo.
He witnessed the signing in Paris of Memoranda of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of the Gateway Deep Seaport at Ogun Waterside and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.
According to the Presidency, the agreements envisage an initial investment of more than 7 billion dollars, with the projects projected at full development to create more than 50,000 direct jobs as well as additional indirect employment.
The Presidency said the President deliberately returned through Lagos rather than Abuja in order to take part in events commemorating the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola, winner of the annulled presidential election of 12 June 1993.
He is scheduled to attend the premiere of a film honouring the late politician at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
The Presidency added that he would hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in Lagos in preparation for the 2027 elections before returning to Abuja.
The return comes as the All Progressives Congress intensifies its activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The party’s Presidential Campaign Council, headed by Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has begun consultations with prominent traditional rulers, meeting the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar; the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II; and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
