“I’m Healthy, Ready to Work” — Tinubu Returns After 30 Days, Dismisses Health Rumours
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed speculation about his health following his return to Nigeria after 30 days abroad, declaring that he is healthy and ready to resume work.
Tinubu spoke to journalists shortly after arriving at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the conclusion of his extended working vacation in Europe.
The presidential aircraft landed at about 6:22 p.m.
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“I’m ready to kick, ready to work. There’s nothing wrong with my health,” the President said, attributing the speculation surrounding his health to politics.
“Rumour will always be emanating from politics, but the facts remain I’m here. Healthy, sound, and ready to go,” he added.
Asked how he found his time away from Nigeria, Tinubu simply replied: “I enjoyed myself.”
He was received at the airport by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau; the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Governor of Kwara State, Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside other government officials and political leaders.
Also present at the airport were the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudasiru Obasa; Senator Idiat Adebule; the Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; former lawmaker Mr. Farouk Lawan; and other political figures.
Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Mr. Olusegun Dada, confirmed the President’s arrival on X, writing: “Landing. Welcome home Mr President!” He subsequently shared footage of the reception.
Supporters had gathered around the Presidential Wing hours before the President’s arrival, with groups of women and youths, including members of political support organisations, singing, drumming and displaying welcome banners bearing messages of support for the administration and its political agenda.
Security personnel were heavily deployed around the airport and along the route used by the presidential convoy. The President’s return resulted in movement restrictions and heavy traffic around the airport and adjoining roads as security officials cleared the route.
Speaking at the airport, the Speaker of the House of Representatives expressed optimism about the period ahead.
“It is incredibly nice to have him after one month away,” Abbas said, adding that he expected the President to return with renewed energy to continue his duties.
Tinubu had left Abuja on August 30 for what the Presidency initially announced as a three-week vacation as part of his annual leave, with London as his first destination. He spent one week in London before proceeding to Paris.
After the initial three-week period elapsed, presidential spokesman Mr. Bayo Onanuga announced on September 21 that the working vacation had been extended by a few days.
Throughout the period, the Presidency maintained that Tinubu remained in communication with officials at home and continued to direct government affairs from abroad. It also said Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima had been delegated to represent him at some official engagements.
The extension generated political debate over the President’s absence, including questions about whether presidential powers ought formally to have been transmitted to the Vice President under Section 145 of the Constitution.
The African Action Congress subsequently instituted an action against the President and the National Assembly over the vacation, alleging that Tinubu failed to make the constitutional notification it considered necessary before embarking on the trip.
The case remains a pending legal challenge, with no determination on the merits reported at the time of the President’s return.
Against the criticism generated by the absence, Senator Adams Oshiomhole argued that presidential communications and official actions undertaken during the period showed that Tinubu remained involved in government business while abroad.
During his stay in Paris, Tinubu held a private dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and met businessman Vincent Bolloré, whose business interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group. He also met Femi Otedola, Chairman of First HoldCo.
The President also witnessed the signing in Paris of Memoranda of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World for the development of the Gateway Deep Seaport at Ogun Waterside and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.
According to the Presidency, the agreements envisage an initial investment of more than $7 billion. The projects, when fully developed, are projected to create more than 50,000 direct jobs as well as additional indirect employment.
The Presidency said Tinubu deliberately returned through Lagos rather than Abuja to participate in events commemorating the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola, winner of the annulled presidential election of June 12, 1993.
The President is scheduled to attend the premiere of a film honouring the late politician at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
The Presidency also said Tinubu would hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in Lagos in preparation for the 2027 elections before returning to Abuja.
His return comes as the All Progressives Congress intensifies its activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The party’s Presidential Campaign Council, headed by Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has begun consultations with prominent traditional rulers, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar; the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II; and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi.
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