President Tinubu Wraps Up Ten-Day Trip to Lagos and Heads Back to Capital

Nigeria’s leader, Bola Tinubu, has made his way back to Abuja after spending ten days in Lagos on official business filled with important talks and project launches.

He touched down in the commercial city on 26 September, right after joining celebrations for the crowning of Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the new Olubadan in nearby Ibadan.

While there, Tinubu sat down with major business leaders to discuss opportunities for growth. Among them were Bayo Ogunlesi, who heads Global Infrastructure Partners, and Keem Belo-Osagie, the top figure at Metis Capital Partners and a past leader at United Bank for Africa and Etisalat.

He also hosted Arsenio Dominguez, the head of the International Maritime Organisation, who came with Adegboyega Oyetola, the minister in charge of marine and blue economy matters, along with other officials from that field. In their discussion, the president renewed promises from his team to build up the country’s sea-based trade as a smart shift away from relying on oil and gas.

As the nation geared up for its 65th year of freedom, Tinubu took a short trip to Imo State to kick off several building works carried out under Governor Hope Uzodimma. He also brought out a new book written by the governor, which looks back at ten years of the All Progressives Congress in power.

From the State House at Dodan Barracks, he shared a special message to mark Independence Day. Later, he opened the upgraded National Theatre, giving it a fresh name: the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts. Speaking to the crowd, he encouraged everyone in the country to use kind words when talking about their homeland.

On 4 October, which was a Saturday, Tinubu travelled to Jos in Plateau State for the burial of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, the mother of the All Progressives Congress national leader, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda. During the service, he honoured the memory of the departed woman and gave his word that his government would treat all faith groups equally, especially Christians living in the northern regions.

Straight after getting back to Abuja, the president held a session with Bashir Ojulari, the top boss at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, right at the State House. Ojulari filled him in on how the company is doing, its plans to draw in more funds, and steps towards hitting the fuel output goals set by the current leadership.