By James Adah
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Sunday, August 30, 2026, depart Abuja for Europe to commence a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s first destination will be London, United Kingdom.
The presidential spokesperson said the President’s trip is part of his annual leave and is expected to last three weeks, after which he will return to Nigeria and resume his official engagements.
Onanuga added that President Tinubu is expected back in the country at a time when political activities are gathering momentum ahead of the January 2027 election, with the President expected to join the campaign activities upon his return.
The latest vacation comes about a year after President Tinubu embarked on his 2025 annual leave. On September 4, 2025, the President departed Abuja for Europe for a 10-working-day vacation, which was initially scheduled to cover France and the United Kingdom.
However, the 2025 vacation was cut short. The State House announced on September 15 that Tinubu had concluded his working vacation ahead of schedule and would return to Abuja the following day. During his stay in Paris, he held a private luncheon with then French President Emmanuel Macron, where both leaders discussed areas of bilateral cooperation.
In March 2026, the President and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, paid a historic state visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The two-day visit included engagements at Windsor Castle and talks with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
During that visit, Nigeria and the United Kingdom advanced discussions on trade, investment, infrastructure, security and other areas of bilateral cooperation. The President also met with the British Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, where the two countries discussed a £746 million agreement relating to the refurbishment of two major ports in Lagos.
The President’s latest departure also comes against the backdrop of heightened political activity in Nigeria as political parties and presidential contenders position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With the election season gradually intensifying, Tinubu is expected to return from his vacation and become more directly involved in campaign-related activities, particularly as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues preparations for the 2027 contest.
In a statement dated August 30, 2026, Onanuga said the President would return to Nigeria after the three-week working vacation.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today for Europe to begin a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave,” the presidential spokesperson stated.
“His first stop will be London, United Kingdom.”
Onanuga added that President Tinubu would return home after the vacation to join the campaign activities ahead of the January 2027 election.
The latest trip therefore marks another period of annual leave for the President before what is expected to be an increasingly intense political season leading to the 2027 presidential election.
