The Presidency yesterday dispelled the rumour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s illness.
The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) had quoted sources as saying that preparations were underway by the president’s medical team to potentially fly him abroad for urgent medical attention.
According to information gathered by The ICIR, the President had reportedly been bedridden for several days, resulting in his absence from key state functions. In his stead, Vice President Kashim Shettima has represented the Presidency at some official engagements.
The medium also quoted an Aso Rock insider as saying that several of Tinubu’s scheduled activities had been cancelled since the beginning of the week.
According to the ICIR, it is also believed that the remainder of his weekly agenda has been cleared to allow his medical team to monitor his condition closely.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had told The ICIR that “people just tell you all kinds of rumours that have no basis at all.”
He insisted that the president was working. “He was in his office yesterday (August 5). I was with him. I went to see him. He came to work.”
Last night, Daily Trust independently contacted Onanuga who dismissed the rumour of the president’s illness.
On why the president did not attend any public function since last week, Onanuga replied that the president could choose to work from home.
Some of Tinubu’s foreign trips
Since taking office in 2023, President Tinubu has made frequent trips to France, sparking ongoing concerns about the transparency surrounding his health. He had reportedly spent over 50 days in France across several visits, often described as private or working trips.
June 2023: Attended the New Global Financial Pact Summit in Paris, spending around 4–5 days
January 2024: Tinubu took a 14-day private trip to France, returning to Nigeria in early February.
August 2024: He took another brief trip to France, returning after four days.
October 2024: In early October, Tinubu travelled to the UK for a two-week working vacation as part of his annual leave. Reports indicate that during this time, he also traveled to France.
November 2024: Three‑day state visit at Macron’s invitation, during which business and infrastructure agreements were signed; total stay about 5 days
February 2025: Officially described as a private visit en route to Addis Ababa for AU meetings; stayed around 7–8 days
April 2025: Two‑week working visit with time also spent in London; stay around 14 -19 days.
DAILY TRUST.
