🇳🇬 Where Is Our President? A Deep Dive Into President Tinubu’s Recent Absence, Public Concern & What It Really Means
For many Nigerians scrolling through social media this week, the same urgent question keeps popping up:
“2 weeks gone — we no see our President 😮😮😮 Where is Mr President? Who is in charge?”
These concerns are real, trending, and significant — and you’re not alone in wondering what’s happening at the highest level of Nigeria’s government. In this blog post, we unpack why Nigerians are asking “Where is the President?”, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu actually is, what the Presidency has officially said, and why his visibility matters to national security, governance, and public confidence. 🔍🇳🇬
📍 Is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Really Missing? What We Know
Firstly — the President is not missing.
He is alive and actively functioning as Nigeria’s head of state. However, he has been outside the country for official duties, vacations, and engagements, leading to confusion among many citizens who are used to seeing routine local media updates of his activities.
Here’s a timeline of verified movements from official sources:
✈️ Recent Travels & Absence
In late December 2025, President Tinubu departed Lagos for Europe on what the Presidency described as an overseas working trip and official break. This departure was confirmed by his media team and included travel to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026 Summit in the United Arab Emirates — scheduled for January.
Prior to that, in September 2025, President Tinubu took a 10-day annual vacation in France and the United Kingdom as part of his scheduled leave, a statement confirmed by the Presidency. He returned to Abuja ahead of schedule on September 16, 2025, resuming official duties.
In July 2025, he conducted official state visits to Saint Lucia and Brazil for diplomatic engagements, including attending the BRICS Summit — and returned to Nigeria subsequently.
These events, spanning several months, involved multiple overseas trips that extended beyond the originally stated timeframes without regular public appearances, leading some Nigerians to feel as though the President was “missing.”
📣 Public Anxiety: Why Nigerians Are Concerned
Even if the President is officially accounted for, many citizens are genuinely worried — and here’s why:
📌 Lack of Daily Public Engagement
In countries like Nigeria, visible presidential engagement is a key measure of leadership accountability. When a president travels abroad without frequent press briefings, photos, speeches, or updates, speculation thrives. This vacuum has fueled:
Social media rumors about the President’s health and whereabouts.
Public fear about governance continuity.
Political criticism claiming a leadership gap back home.
This concern isn’t unique to Nigeria — similar debates have occurred in other nations when leaders travel or remain out of the public eye. But in Nigeria’s context, the concerns are heightened due to ongoing security, economic, and social challenges that demand strong leadership presence.
🏛️ Official Response: Presidency Speaks Out
The Presidency has repeatedly addressed the question of the President’s absences:
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga and other aides have issued official statements confirming travel schedules and emphasising that governance processes continue uninterrupted even while President Tinubu is abroad.
They clarify that the President maintains direct oversight of national security, economic directives, and government affairs through remote communication with relevant ministers and security chiefs.
Statements also stress that his trips, whether to Europe or global summits, often include official bilateral meetings and strategic engagements that serve Nigeria’s national interests.
In short, while he may not physically be in Abuja at times, the Presidency insists that he remains fully in charge.
🔥 Critics and Opposition Voices
Not everyone is satisfied with the Presidency’s explanation. Critics argue that:
The public deserves frequent briefings on the President’s schedule, reasons for extended stays, and daily activities.
National challenges — particularly insecurity, rising violence, and economic stress — require a visible leadership presence.
Prolonged overseas stays without transparent updates can undermine public confidence and national unity.
High-profile figures, including political opponents like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have openly criticised these absences, calling them poorly timed and insensitive to Nigeria’s realities.
🤝 In Charge? Who Leads When the President Travels
This is a common constitutional structure in democracies:
A President may travel, but the Vice President and Cabinet remain in charge of routine governance.
Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside senior ministers and Permanent Secretaries, continue daily government operations.
A presidential travel advisory letter is typically sent to the National Assembly in advance in line with constitutional requirements.
In past cases — such as President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s extended absence in 2010 — constitutional debate erupted over power transfer procedures. Today, the Vice President remains empowered to act as needed during temporary presidential travels or short absences.
📊 Communicating Leadership in the Digital Age
In an era dominated by social media, public leaders must share frequent updates — especially in times of national stress. Lack of information leads to speculation, and speculation fuels distrust.
Here are key reasons why Nigerians are reacting so strongly:
1. Information Vacuum:
No official daily media content or press releases.
2. Security Concerns:
High anxiety due to rising violence in parts of the country.
3. Economic Hardship:
Citizens want visible leadership during difficult times.
4. Political Polarisation:
Opposition and pundits amplify the narrative to gain traction.
In democratic societies, it is essential for leaders to communicate consistently — not just govern quietly.
🏁 Final Verdict: Where Is the President?
✔️ President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not missing or unreachable.
✔️ He has been traveling abroad for official and pre-announced engagements.
✔️ The Presidency asserts that he remains fully functional and in command.
✔️ Governance continues through remote communication and delegation.
✔️ Public concern remains strong due to limited communication and visibility.
📢 Conclusion: What Nigerians Should Demand
Whether you support or oppose the government, one thing is clear:
👉 Transparency, regular communication, and leadership visibility matter.
Nigerians have the right to be informed about the activities of their elected leaders — not just for curiosity, but for national stability, trust, and democratic accountability.
So the next time someone asks:
➡️ “Where is Mr President?”
You can confidently answer:
📌 He is accounted for, working with his administration, and Nigeria remains being governed — but public communication needs improvement.
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