President Tinubu heads back to Abuja after 14-day foreign mission

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially concluded his 14-day diplomatic mission abroad and is now en route to Abuja.

His return journey began on Saturday afternoon aboard a San Marino-registered Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), with registration T7-NAS, which departed Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro at 12:50 p.m. local time (4:50 p.m. Nigerian time).

The president’s foreign tour included strategic visits to Saint Lucia and Brazil. He spent the first leg of the mission in Saint Lucia from June 29 to July 4, engaging in bilateral talks and strengthening ties with the Caribbean nation.

From there, Tinubu proceeded to Brazil, where he participated in the 17th Summit of the Global South and Emerging Economies, held from July 5 to 7. The summit provided a platform for leaders from developing nations to discuss economic cooperation, climate action, and global trade reforms.

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)