Tinubu Returns to Abuja After Two-Week Break in Lagos, Faces Mounting Challenges

 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Abuja on June 9, 2025, concluding a two-week working vacation in Lagos, where he engaged stakeholders and celebrated Eid-el-Kabir.

Landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Tinubu was received by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, signaling a return to tackle pressing national issues, including economic reforms and security. The break, described by aides as a strategic retreat, allowed Tinubu to commission projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway’s Phase 1 and host dignitaries, including billionaire Razaq Okoya, at his Ikoyi residence. His return marks a critical juncture, as Nigerians await policy adjustments amid rising inflation and protests.

Tinubu’s Lagos sojourn, blending governance with cultural engagements, saw him attend Sallah prayers at Dodan Barracks and review 2025 budget preparations. The Presidency highlighted his oversight of national affairs via virtual briefings, countering opposition claims of disengagement. However, critics, including the PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, accused Tinubu of prioritizing 2027 campaign optics over governance, citing the Mokwa flood crisis and fuel price hikes.

Upon arrival, Tinubu is expected to chair a Federal Executive Council meeting to address subsidy savings and infrastructure funding. Supporters, like APC’s Ajibola Basiru, praised his renewed vigor, noting plans to commission FCT projects. The return, covered live by NTA, underscores Tinubu’s centrality to Nigeria’s political landscape, as he navigates a polarized nation grappling with economic hardship and regional tensions.