President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday dismissed concerns about his health, saying he is “healthy, sound, and ready to go” after returning to Nigeria from his extended working vacation in Europe.
Tinubu spoke with journalists on arrival in Lagos following his stay in France, where he had spent the latter part of his vacation.
Asked about concerns raised by some Nigerians and his supporters about his health, Tinubu said there was nothing wrong with him.
“Ready to kick, ready to walk. There’s nothing wrong. Rumour will always be emanating from politics, but the facts remain: I’m here. Healthy, sound, and ready to go,” the President said.
He returned to the country after ending his working vacation in the United Kingdom and France.
The President’s aircraft landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, at 6.22 p.m.
He was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari.
A cultural troupe was also on hand to welcome the President to Lagos from his vacation.
The President’s arrival was confirmed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, who posted on X, “Landing. Welcome home, Mr President!”
Minutes later, the presidential aide posted a video showing Tinubu being received by senior government officials and political leaders at the airport.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns to Lagos after his vacation in Europe”, he wrote alongside the video.
Tinubu had departed Abuja on August 30 for the working vacation, spending one week in London before travelling to Paris.
He returned to Nigeria after a four-week working vacation, thus ending the apprehension over his long stay without handing over power to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Earlier on Tuesday, a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced Tinubu’s departure from Paris for Lagos.
The Presidency said Tinubu chose to travel to Lagos first to honour the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the June 1993 presidential election and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
On October 1, Independence Day, the President is expected to attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
In Lagos, the President is also expected to hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates.
“While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections,” the statement read.
During his working vacation, the President had a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
He met with business leaders, including Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, whose media and digital interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.
The President also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the construction of a Gateway deep seaport in Ogun Waterside and the creation of a Blue Marine Economic Zone in the area.
DP World, described by the Presidency as one of the world’s leading ports and logistics operators, plans to invest $7bn in the seaport and economic zone.
On Monday evening, the President met with the Chairman of First Holdings, Femi Otedola
