ABUJA, Nigeria—President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, for the United Kingdom, where he will embark on a two-week vacation as part of his annual leave.
The president’s trip, which includes a working vacation, has drawn public attention following recent speculation about his health and the cost of his frequent travels.
In a statement released on Wednesday, October 3, 2024, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, clarified that the president will “use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.”
He added that President Tinubu would return to Nigeria once the leave concludes.
The vacation follows Tinubu’s recent return to Abuja on September 15 after a series of international visits.
Tinubu had departed for Beijing, China, on August 29 for an official visit, making a brief stop in Dubai before arriving in China on September 1.
After completing his engagements in Beijing, the president traveled to the UK for a short stay.
However, Tinubu’s visit to the UK has stirred controversy, particularly after a video surfaced online showing the president leaving St Mary’s Hospital in London.
The footage, which depicted Tinubu being escorted by aides and medical personnel, sparked widespread speculation that the president was there for emergency medical treatment.
This prompted accusations from some Nigerians that Tinubu was concealing the true nature of his visit.
Prominent critic and activist Mahdi Shehu accused the president of misleading the public, stating, “TINUBU LIED: His picture with King Charles was shared to deceive people. He was at St Mary’s emergency treatment center in London for emergency medical care. No matter the hide and seek, what is destined will happen willy-nilly.”
The video surfaced after the Royal Family announced on their official X account that President Tinubu had met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace during his UK visit.
A photo accompanying the post showed the Nigerian leader and the monarch shaking hands, with no mention of any medical issues.
The controversy surrounding Tinubu’s health comes at a time of growing concern over his administration’s policies, which many have described as “repressive” and disconnected from the needs of ordinary Nigerians.
Critics argue that the president’s frequent travels, which incur significant costs, further distance him from the realities of the country’s economic challenges.
As Tinubu embarks on his working vacation, his administration’s economic reforms—intended to address inflation and economic instability—remain a point of contention.
While some argue that these measures are necessary to stabilize Nigeria’s economy, others view them as exacerbating hardship for the country’s poorest citizens.
The president’s office has yet to address the concerns raised about the hospital visit or the wider criticism regarding his policies.
