Tinubu Travels to Europe for 10-Day Annual Leave, Sparks Debate on Power Handover
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Nigeria for a 10-day working vacation in Europe, with scheduled stops in France and the United Kingdom. According to a statement from his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the trip forms part of the President’s annual leave for the year 2025.
The Presidency emphasized that the vacation will combine rest and official duties, as the President is expected to hold a series of diplomatic meetings with business leaders and policy influencers in both countries. Officials say the engagements are aimed at further consolidating Tinubu’s international economic drive and strengthening bilateral relations with European partners.
One of the most talked-about aspects of this trip is the fact that the Presidency did not publicly confirm whether a formal letter was transmitted to the National Assembly in accordance with Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This section mandates the President to inform the legislature whenever embarking on vacation or leaving the country, allowing the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, to act as President during the period.
With both chambers of the National Assembly currently on recess, analysts are questioning whether an official handover of duties took place or whether Tinubu will continue to exercise presidential powers from abroad. This is not the first time the issue has been raised similar concerns trailed his October 2024 vacation, when he spent over two weeks abroad without formally transferring power to his deputy.
Tinubu’s Travel Record Under Scrutiny
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most traveled leaders. Reports indicate that he and Vice President Shettima have made 41 foreign trips to 26 different countries in just 17 months. Tinubu alone has reportedly spent 124 days abroad on official and working visits, many of which were described as crucial to advancing Nigeria’s economic and foreign policy agenda.
Supporters argue that his constant engagements with foreign investors, world leaders, and multilateral institutions are necessary to attract foreign direct investment and reposition Nigeria on the global stage. Critics, however, insist that the high frequency of trips has yet to translate into tangible economic relief for Nigerians who continue to grapple with rising inflation, high food prices, and an unstable exchange rate
Economic and Political Implications
This 10-day leave comes at a time when the country is facing critical economic challenges, including soaring fuel prices and insecurity in several states. Opposition parties have seized on the timing, accusing the President of “disconnect” from the hardship many citizens are experiencing.
Nevertheless, supporters within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) insist that the trip is well-deserved, describing it as both a strategic diplomatic mission and a needed opportunity for the President to rejuvenate after months of intensive domestic reforms, including the controversial fuel subsidy removal and the push for foreign exchange unification.
While the Presidency has not released a full itinerary, sources close to the administration indicate that Tinubu is likely to meet with European investors and attend closed-door sessions with policy makers. These engagements are expected to focus on energy partnerships, trade cooperation, and security collaboration between Nigeria and its European allies.
The trip also provides
with a chance to court potential investors ahead of Nigeria’s next international investment summit scheduled later this year. His administration has repeatedly stated its commitment to attracting foreign capital as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda.
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s latest European trip is more than just a vacation; it is a blend of diplomacy, economic lobbying, and personal rest. However, the absence of clarity on whether Vice President Shettima has been formally empowered to act during his absence has reignited public debate on constitutional transparency and executive accountability.
As Nigerians watch closely, the outcome of Tinubu’s engagements in France and the UK could shape the next phase of his administration’s economic strategy. Whether the benefits of this trip will be felt back home remains a question many citizens will be asking in the days ahead.
