President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after spending 28 days in Europe on what the Presidency described as a working vacation, ending an extended stay that drew fresh political and constitutional scrutiny.

Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for London, where he spent about a week before travelling to Paris. His initial three-week vacation was later extended by several days, with the Presidency announcing on September 21 that he would return at the weekend. He eventually left Paris for Nigeria on Tuesday, September 29.

Rather than return directly to Abuja, Tinubu arrived in Lagos, where he is scheduled to participate in activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. The Presidency said he will attend the October 1 premiere of a documentary on the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre in Iganmu.

His return followed several engagements in Paris during the extended stay. Tinubu met French President Emmanuel Macron at a private dinner and held discussions with businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group. He also met First HoldCo chairman Femi Otedola shortly before leaving France.

The President also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port at Ogun Waterside and a Blue Marine Economic Zone, with DP World planning to invest $7 billion in the project.

The extended absence, however, became a subject of political and constitutional debate, particularly after Vice-President Kashim Shettima also travelled outside Nigeria to represent the country at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The African Action Congress subsequently filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to determine whether Tinubu was required to transmit a written declaration to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives before proceeding on vacation under Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution. The party also questioned whether the National Assembly was required to take action after the President’s absence exceeded 21 days.

Section 145 provides for the President to transmit a written declaration when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office. It also provides a mechanism for the Vice-President to perform presidential functions as Acting President, with a separate provision dealing with an absence extending beyond 21 days. The interpretation of those provisions in relation to Tinubu’s trip is now before the court.

The Presidency has maintained that Tinubu continued to direct government affairs while abroad and remained in contact with officials in Nigeria. It cited, among other actions, his directive for an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 illegal miners who had been detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Minna.

The Presidency also said Shettima had been delegated to represent Tinubu at official functions, including the United Nations General Assembly, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, represented the President at other events during the period.

Tinubu’s return to Lagos also puts him back in the country as political activity builds towards the 2027 general elections.