President Tinubu Departs for Two-Week ‘Working Visit’ to France Amid Health Speculation
President Bola Tinubu has embarked on a two-week trip to Paris, France, officially described as a “working visit” to review his administration’s midterm performance—but the journey has reignited longstanding questions about the President’s health and travel patterns.
Official Purpose: Policy Review
In a statement issued Thursday by Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency framed the trip as a strategic retreat:
“President Tinubu will appraise his administration’s midterm performance, assess key milestones, and engage in strategic planning ahead of his second anniversary in May,” Onanuga stated. The announcement highlighted economic gains, including a reported surge in Nigeria’s net foreign reserves from $3.99 billion in 2023 to $23.11 billion.
Unofficial Concerns: Medical History
This marks Tinubu’s third known trip to France since taking office in May 2023, with previous visits shrouded in controversy:
- January 2024: A 13-day “private visit” that multiple sources confirmed to SaharaReporters was for medical treatment
- Pre-Inauguration May 2023: Tinubu’s medical team reportedly flew to Lagos for follow-up care ahead of swearing-in
- Ongoing Pattern: At least four foreign medical trips since 2021 documented by local media
A senior APC official who spoke anonymously to SaharaReporters in 2023 acknowledged: “He requires regular specialist care that isn’t fully available in Nigeria.”
Contradictions and Context
The latest trip raises fresh questions:
- Timing: Coincides with Ramadan and precedes his 73rd birthday on March 29
- Duration: Two-week absence during economic crisis and security challenges
- Transparency: No detailed itinerary or public engagements announced
Presidential spokespersons have consistently denied health concerns, attributing foreign trips to diplomacy or private matters. However, the lack of visible working meetings during extended stays fuels skepticism.
Political Implications
With Vice President Kashim Shettima holding fort in Abuja, opposition figures are seizing on the pattern:
“Nigerians deserve clarity—is this a working visit or another medical leave funded by taxpayers?” asked PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba. Transparency advocates note that Tinubu’s medical history remains a sensitive topic since his 2021 hospitalization in London.
Looking Ahead
The administration faces mounting pressure to:
- Disclose the visit’s full purpose and funding
- Address capacity concerns given the President’s age
- Establish clearer protocols for medical disclosures
As Air Force One departed Abuja, the unanswered question lingered: How much of this “working visit” will be spent in boardrooms versus medical facilities?
