President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return to Nigeria Tuesday, September 29, and mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary in Lagos city. Presidency sources say Tinubu will arrive through Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s presidential wing, where Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will receive him.
The President will remain in Lagos through Thursday, October 1, when he will participate in scheduled Independence Day activities nationwide. Tinubu’s planned return follows a four-week working vacation in Europe, during which he spent considerable time in London and Paris.
The Presidency initially expected Tinubu to return over the weekend, but officials later adjusted his itinerary for Lagos before Tuesday. According to the Federal Government’s anniversary programme, Tinubu will deliver a nationwide broadcast to Nigerians on Thursday, October 1 nationwide.
The broadcast will form part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, alongside an official public lecture scheduled for Wednesday. The Federal Government has planned a low-key celebration this year, with several activities already scheduled ahead of Independence Day nationwide.
Tinubu’s Lagos appearance will mark his second consecutive Independence anniversary in the commercial capital since assuming office as Nigerian president. Last year, Tinubu also marked Independence Day in Lagos, following cancellation of the planned October 1 parade amid security concerns.
During his extended European working vacation, Tinubu continued receiving briefings and issuing directives on matters of national importance throughout ongoing engagements. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu at several official engagements while the President remained outside Nigeria during his vacation abroad.
Shettima also led Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tinubu’s behalf officially directly. The anniversary programme includes services, a public lecture, and the President’s nationwide broadcast scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2026, officially.
After completing his Independence Day engagements, Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja next weekend and resume presidential activities there.
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