President Tinubu Arrives in Lagos After International Engagements

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Lagos on Friday following a three-nation visit to France, Kenya, and Rwanda. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the arrival in a statement detailing the President’s itinerary and engagements abroad.

The President’s plane touched down around 7:12 pm at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja. He was received by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, along with other government functionaries.

During his time in France, President Tinubu met with global investors, emphasising transparency and fiscal discipline while explaining the rationale behind the swift implementation of bold economic reforms his administration has instituted. Onanuga noted that the President also participated in the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, which was co-hosted by President Emmanuel Macron of France and President William Ruto.

At that summit, President Tinubu called for a reform of the global financial architecture and a stronger economic integration that prioritises Africa’s growth and prosperity. He also highlighted Nigeria’s potential in the blue economy as a cornerstone of Africa’s development, with a commitment to share Nigeria’s maritime intelligence infrastructure with willing Gulf of Guinea states. While in Nairobi, the President held a bilateral meeting with his Madagascan counterpart, Michael Randrianirina, Bayo Onanuga added.

In Kigali, Rwanda, President Tinubu joined other African leaders, investors, and chief executive officers of global and African companies at the Africa CEO Forum to chart practical ways to accelerate the continent’s economic transformation through shared scale, regional integration, and increased cross-border investments. He also held a bilateral meeting with the Rwandan leader and host, Paul Kagame. According to Onanuga, the President met with delegations from multilateral and multinational companies, including the International Finance Corporation, APM Terminals, and the Winme Group, with notable favourable outcomes.

President Tinubu further featured in panels and discussions that highlighted the thrust of his administration’s economic reform programmes. While in Lagos, the President will participate in the All Progressives Congress primary elections, starting on Saturday. Bayo Onanuga said the President had earlier, in a statement to party faithful, called on all participants in the primaries to “keep the peace and be ready to play as sportsmen and women in the overall interest of the party and our country.”