President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has spoken publicly about his health after returning to Nigeria from an extended working vacation in Europe, dismissing concerns surrounding his wellbeing and declaring that he is healthy and ready to resume his official duties.
Tinubu spoke shortly after arriving at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday evening, September 29, following about four weeks in Europe.
The President had been away from Nigeria since August 30, when he departed Abuja for what was initially announced as a three-week working vacation.
His stay began in London before he travelled to Paris, France, where he held several engagements alongside his private and official activities.
His prolonged absence generated considerable public discussion, particularly after the initial three-week period was extended.
Questions about his health also circulated during the period, with some Nigerians and political commentators expressing concern about the President’s condition and his ability to resume his full responsibilities after the extended stay abroad.
Tinubu directly addressed those concerns when he spoke to journalists upon his return.
The President said there was nothing wrong with him and described himself as healthy and sound.
He also dismissed the rumours surrounding his health, saying such speculation was connected to politics.
Tinubu said his return to Nigeria demonstrated that he was ready to continue working and attending to the responsibilities of his office.
His comments were made in the presence of senior government officials and political leaders who had gathered at the airport to welcome him back.
Among those who received the President were Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and other senior officials.
The President arrived in Lagos at about 6:22 p.m., bringing his extended European stay to an end.
Tinubu had initially been expected to return earlier, but the Presidency later announced that his working vacation had been extended by a few days.
Throughout the period, the Presidency maintained that the President remained in contact with officials in Nigeria and continued to monitor and direct government affairs while abroad.
Tinubu’s stay in Europe also included a number of engagements.
In Paris, he held a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and met with business leaders.
He also met with Femi Otedola, Chairman of First HoldCo, during the final days of his stay.
The President additionally witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World concerning plans for a deep seaport and a Blue Marine Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside.
The proposed project is expected to attract significant investment and form part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s maritime and logistics infrastructure.
Despite these engagements, the length of Tinubu’s absence remained a major subject of political discussion.
The President did not personally attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York during his stay abroad.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the high-level gathering and delivered the country’s national statement.
The Federal Government defended the arrangement, maintaining that Shettima was acting with the President’s authority during the period.
The prolonged absence also generated constitutional and political arguments, particularly concerning the length of time a Nigerian president can remain outside the country without formally transferring presidential powers to the Vice President.
Opposition politicians raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the extended trip, while the Presidency maintained that Tinubu remained fully engaged with the affairs of government.
The return of the President has now shifted attention back to his domestic schedule.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu chose to return to Lagos rather than immediately proceed to Abuja partly because of activities surrounding the memory of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
Tinubu is expected to participate in events marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1.
One of the major activities is the premiere of a film honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.
The President is also expected to hold meetings with political leaders and associates while in Lagos before eventually returning to Abuja.
The timing of his return is significant because political activities are already increasing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Presidency has confirmed that Tinubu will hold strategic meetings with political figures and associates during his stay in Lagos.
His return is therefore expected to mark the resumption of a more active domestic schedule following his extended period abroad.
Tinubu’s statement about his health has also provided his first direct public response to the speculation that emerged during his absence.
Rather than allowing the rumours to continue unanswered, the President used his arrival in Lagos to state that he was healthy and prepared to return fully to work.
The remarks have since attracted reactions across political and social circles, with supporters welcoming his return and opponents continuing to question aspects of his extended absence.
The health concerns themselves remain based on public speculation; Tinubu has publicly stated that he is healthy and ready to work, and no independent medical assessment was presented in his airport remarks.
The President’s return also comes as his administration prepares for the final phase of the year, with major economic, political and security issues continuing to demand attention.
His government faces ongoing challenges including the cost of living, electricity supply, insecurity, unemployment and economic reforms, while preparations for the 2027 elections are also becoming increasingly prominent.
Tinubu’s return is therefore expected to be followed by renewed attention to government policy and political activities.
For now, the President has sought to put the health speculation to rest with a direct statement that he is healthy, sound and ready to resume work.
His return to Nigeria ends the approximately four-week European working vacation and brings him back into the centre of domestic political and government activities as the country prepares to mark its 66th Independence Anniversary.
