Tinubu arrives in Paris for the second leg of his foreign holiday.

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Paris on Sunday for the second stage of his three-week annual holiday in Europe, after spending the first part of the break in London.

He was received by Nigeria’s ambassador to France, Emmanuel Ayodele Oke. Footage circulating on Sunday showed the President greeting officials after he stepped off the aircraft.

Mr Tinubu left Abuja on 30 August. The Presidency said London would be his first stop and described the trip as a working holiday. He is expected to return to Abuja afterwards and join campaign work for the January 2027 general election.

The departure came a week after the All Progressives Congress published its presidential campaign council list, naming Mr Tinubu chairman and Vice-President Kashim Shettima vice-chairman.

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, told reporters before the President left that the break was well deserved. After months of work on security and the economy, he said, the President needed to “refuel” ahead of a demanding campaign period.

Paris has long been one of Mr Tinubu’s most frequent foreign destinations. Since taking office in May 2023 he has visited the French capital at least 13 times and spent more than 50 days there on official, working and private trips. Reports put his total time abroad at more than 270 days across dozens of journeys to at least 30 countries.

The Presidency has not published a detailed itinerary for the rest of the leave. Mr Tinubu is expected to spend the remaining days in France before flying home.

Political activity in Nigeria is already gathering pace ahead of the 2027 polls. Officials say the President remains in contact with ministers and security chiefs and continues to receive briefings.

He last took a similar break at the end of 2025 and into early 2026, again splitting time between France and other destinations. France has consistently ranked among his most visited countries, followed by the United Kingdom.

Mr Tinubu is due back in Abuja after the three-week period to resume official duties and election preparations.

By James John