Tinubu finally heads back to Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has finally wrapped up his official engagements in Brazil and is en route to Abuja.

The presidential aircraft, a San Marino-registered BBJ with registration T7-NAS, departed Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro at 12:50 p.m. local time (4:50 p.m. Nigerian time) on Saturday.

This marks the end of a 14-day diplomatic mission that included stops in Saint Lucia and Brazil. Tinubu visited Saint Lucia from June 29 to July 4 on a state visit. He then traveled to Brazil to attend the 17th summit of the Global South and Emerging Economies, held from Saturday, July 5 to Monday, July 7.

Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu has embarked on at least 41 international trips to 28 different countries spanning Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Americas.

France remains his most visited destination, with at least six trips recorded. The United Kingdom follows with four visits, while he has traveled to the United Arab Emirates three times. Other countries visited twice include Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Germany, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Guinea-Bissau. He has also visited India, Kenya, Qatar, China, Senegal, the Netherlands, Benin Republic, Chad, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Brazil, the United States, and the Vatican once each.

These trips have included a mix of ceremonial appearances, economic and diplomatic summits, as well as high-level bilateral meetings.

President Tinubu is expected to arrive in Abuja at approximately 2:50 a.m. on Sunday.

(PUNCH)