PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to arrive in Abuja today, marking the end of a two-nation diplomatic tour that took him to Saint Lucia and Brazil over a span of two weeks.
News Point Nigeria reports that the confirmation came through a brief but highly anticipated statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who took to his verified 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) account in the early hours of Saturday to share the update.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns to Abuja today after his two-nation visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil,” Onanuga wrote, ending days of silence that had fueled public speculation.
President Tinubu was last seen in public on July 7, the final day of the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Since then, there had been no official communication from the Presidency regarding his location or itinerary, triggering questions and concern across the country.
The lack of information, particularly following such a major global event, prompted media outlets, analysts, and civil society groups to demand greater transparency about the president’s whereabouts.
Saturday’s statement by Onanuga appears to be a direct response to mounting pressure to disclose the President’s whereabouts following nearly five days of silence since the summit ended.
President Tinubu departed Nigeria on June 28, 2025, for a two-country official tour beginning in Saint Lucia, where he joined other leaders for the CARICOM Day celebrations and bilateral talks focused on diaspora relations, education, and tourism development.
From there, he proceeded to Brazil on July 5 to attend the 2025 BRICS Summit hosted by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Rio de Janeiro.
The Nigerian leader was accompanied by top cabinet members including: Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs among others.
At the BRICS gathering, Tinubu advocated for stronger cooperation, increased investment in renewable energy, and a more equitable global trade system.
He also held several bilateral meetings with heads of government and finance leaders from emerging economies.
Despite the conclusion of the BRICS summit on Monday, July 7, there was no official communication from the Presidency confirming Tinubu’s departure, onward travel, or return schedule.
For days, no flight logs, images, or briefings were released, which led to rumours and misinformation about the President’s health or possible undisclosed stopovers.
Some online reports claimed he had left Brazil on Wednesday, but the lack of formal confirmation only amplified speculation.
Many Nigerians took to social media and radio platforms to question the opacity surrounding the President’s movement, especially at a time of pressing domestic challenges.
The episode has reignited longstanding calls for institutional transparency around presidential travel and health.
Civil society groups like Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), and political analysts urged the Federal Government to adopt a clear protocol for updating citizens on the movements of their elected officials.
“We live in a democracy. Nigerians deserve to know where their President is and what he is doing on their behalf especially during international engagements that affect national interest,” said Dr Maimuna Bashir, a political science lecturer in Kano.
President Tinubu is expected to brief the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on the outcomes of his international meetings and likely unveil plans to deepen Nigeria’s engagement with BRICS member states, especially in the areas of trade, technology, and energy transition.
The Presidency has also hinted at the possibility of a post-trip press briefing early next week to clarify details of the President’s engagements abroad and to address lingering questions surrounding the silence during his travel.