President Bola Ahmed Tinubu left Lagos for Europe on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in what the Presidency described as part of his end-of-year break and preparations for an official visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, early in January, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the terse announcement, the Presidency did not disclose the specific country or countries the President would visit on the European leg of the trip, a detail that has drawn public attention and raised questions about transparency in official travel.
“This trip is a continuation of *his end-of-year break and ahead of his official trip to Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates,” the statement said.
According to the statement, President Tinubu’s European trip is tied to preparations for his participation in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) Summit, where world leaders, business executives and policymakers will gather to “chart the next era of sustainable development” under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go.”
While Onanuga’s release framed the travel as both personal and preparatory, it stopped short of naming the specific European countries on the itinerary, prompting scrutiny from some Nigerians and commentators.
The Presidency noted that the ADSW Summit, scheduled for early January, serves as a platform where governments and global stakeholders can coordinate on innovation, climate action, finance, and economic resilience, key issues Nigeria has increasingly emphasised in foreign engagements.
President Tinubu’s foreign travels have been frequent since assuming office in May 2023. In previous official communications, the Presidency has defended these trips as opportunities to attract investment, deepen diplomatic ties and advance Nigeria’s socioeconomic agenda abroad. For instance, a mid-term assessment highlighted that his diplomatic shuttles had helped to attract significant foreign direct investment commitments.
However, such trips have also drawn public criticism at times. Past travels, including working vacations in Europe, were challenged by opposition figures who argued that domestic issues, particularly insecurity and economic hardship, warranted greater focus at home.
The statement released by the Presidency on Sunday linked the European visit to the upcoming ADSW 2026 Summit in Abu Dhabi, an event that brings together global leaders to discuss sustainability, innovation and inclusive growth.
While confirming the President’s participation, the Presidency stated that he is expected to return to Nigeria after the summit, closing the trip’s overarching timeline, though precise dates and itinerary details remain undisclosed.
In the backdrop of the announcement, several civic groups and citizens have called for greater transparency in official travel disclosures, urging the government to routinely provide fuller itineraries and engagements to help Nigerians better understand the purpose and outcomes of such foreign visits.
