President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation in Europe by a few days and is expected back in Nigeria this weekend, the Presidency has said.
The development was announced on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga said Tinubu had remained abreast of developments in Nigeria and continued to issue directives on matters of national importance despite his absence from the country.
The President departed Nigeria on August 30 for London before proceeding to Paris, France, where he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bolloré.
According to the Presidency, one of the directives issued by Tinubu while abroad was the establishment of an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna, Niger State.
The miners died after being detained by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, according to earlier reports.
“President Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the weekend, following the extension of his working vacation by a few days,” Onanuga said.
During the President’s absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented him at several official engagements.
Shettima, however, travelled to New York on September 20 to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where the general debate is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 22.
The Presidency said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, would continue to represent Tinubu at official functions while the President remains abroad.
Shettima is also expected to represent the President at the UN General Assembly and deliver Nigeria’s national statement.
Meanwhile, Onanuga disclosed that the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, had continued consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.
The presidential aide also criticised comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying organisation concerning Tinubu’s absence from the UN General Assembly.
Onanuga described the claims as “baseless” and “irresponsible.”
Tinubu’s engagements in Paris included meetings with Macron and Bolloré, whose business interests include media and entertainment.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria at the weekend following the extension of his European working vacation.