President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation and is expected to return to Nigeria this weekend after leaving the country on August 30 and subsequently travelling from London to Paris.

President Bola Tinubu waving on an airplane.

President Bola Tinubu has extended his working vacation by a few days and will return to Nigeria at the weekend, the Presidency has announced.

Tinubu left Nigeria on August 30 for London to begin his working vacation before moving to Paris, France, after spending a week in the United Kingdom.

During his stay in Paris, the President met with French President Emmanuel Macron and businessman Vincent Bollore, whose media group includes Canal+, Multichoice and Universal Music Group.

In a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Tinubu had remained in touch with developments at home and continued to direct the affairs of government while away from the country.

The Presidency said Tinubu had, among other things, ordered an independent panel to investigate the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Minna following their detention by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

According to the Presidency, Tinubu has also delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at some official functions during his absence.

Shettima left Abuja on September 20 for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he is representing the President and will present Nigeria’s national statement.

The Presidency said that with the Vice President in New York, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who has also been representing the President at official events, would continue to do so.

On the political front, the Presidency said the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abubakar Yari, has been leading notable party leaders in consultations with prominent traditional rulers across the country.

The Presidency also responded to a statement by former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in which he questioned President Tinubu’s absence from the United Nations General Assembly and called for an explanation.

Describing Atiku’s comments, as well as those of a United States-based lobbying firm, as “baseless insinuation,” the Presidency said they were irresponsible.

“Vice President Shettima, who is representing the President at the global conference, will present Nigeria’s national statement,” the statement said.