President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Paris, France, for the second phase of his three-week annual leave in Europe.
The President arrived in the French capital on Sunday after spending the first part of his vacation in London, United Kingdom.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Emmanuel Ayodele Oke, received Tinubu upon his arrival in Paris, according to the Voice of Nigeria and other reports.
The Paris leg forms part of Tinubu’s previously announced three-week annual leave, which began after he departed Abuja on August 30.
The State House had announced that the President would spend the period in Europe as part of his annual vacation.
From London to Paris
Tinubu’s European leave began in London, where he spent the first phase of the break before travelling to France.
His arrival in Paris marks the second leg of the trip.
The Presidency has described the journey as an annual leave, while official reports have referred to the European stay as a working vacation.
The President’s movements during his leave are being closely followed because of the political and economic activity continuing in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu’s administration continues in his absence
Despite the President’s absence from the country, government activities have continued under the direction of Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other members of the Federal Executive Council.
The President’s leave comes at a politically significant moment.
Political parties and candidates are already intensifying preparations for the 2027 elections, while the Tinubu administration continues to defend its economic reforms and security policies.
Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria after completing the scheduled three-week leave.
Paris remains an important diplomatic destination
France has traditionally been an important diplomatic and economic partner for Nigeria, with relations spanning security cooperation, trade, investment and development.
However, there was no indication in the official announcement that Tinubu’s arrival in Paris represented a new diplomatic assignment rather than the continuation of his annual leave.
The President was received by Nigeria’s ambassador, rather than arriving for a publicly announced bilateral summit.
His movement from London to Paris therefore represents the continuation of the planned European vacation.
For now, the Presidency has not announced any change to the duration of the leave.