President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to arrive back in Nigeria today, April 21, 2025, following a working trip to France, as confirmed by the Presidency.
The update was shared by the President’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, who posted Monday on X: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today.”
Tinubu left Nigeria on April 2, 2025, for a brief official visit to Paris. The Presidency stated that the purpose of the trip was to evaluate the implementation of ongoing reforms and to set the stage for strategic initiatives ahead of Tinubu’s upcoming second anniversary in office.
Despite the explanation, the President’s absence drew criticism from opposition leaders, who voiced concern over his being away while security challenges escalated in parts of the country, especially in Benue and Plateau states, where recent attacks have claimed numerous lives.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar urged Tinubu to return, questioning the extended foreign stay. His spokesman, Paul Ibe, remarked on April 17: “While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos. Plateau has turned into a killing field — over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks.”
Similarly, Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, also appealed to the President to come back.
“I am compelled at this time in our lives as a nation to call on our retreating President’s attention to the security challenges at home, which entail that he immediately suspend his ongoing retreat in a foreign land and come home to address the overwhelming security situation across the country,” Obi said.
“In the two weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity across Nigeria, especially in Plateau and Zamfara states.”
“I therefore urge Mr President to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and rush home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues. That is the new Nigeria the nation seeks,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Presidency defended the overseas trip, emphasizing that President Tinubu has stayed in close contact with top government officials and continued issuing directives to security forces to address the nation’s emerging threats.