The Presidency has dismissed growing rumours surrounding the health of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following reports suggesting he may have been bedridden and preparing for medical evacuation abroad.
The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) had earlier reported, citing sources, that members of the president’s medical team were on standby, with plans underway for possible overseas treatment.
The report also claimed that Tinubu had not appeared at any public event in several days and that Vice President Kashim Shettima had taken his place at key engagements.
An insider at Aso Rock was quoted as saying multiple scheduled appointments and engagements for the president had been either cancelled or quietly postponed throughout the week.
According to ICIR, the remainder of President Tinubu’s agenda had also been cleared to allow medical monitoring by his team.
However, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, pushed back against the claims, calling them unfounded.
“People just tell you all kinds of rumours that have no basis at all,” Onanuga told ICIR.
“He was in his office yesterday (August 5). I was with him. I went to see him. He came to work.”
Onanuga reiterated: “There is nothing wrong with the president. He is okay. He can choose to work from home or anywhere he deems fit,” he said.
The rumours followed the president’s absence from public functions since August 1, when he was last seen at the Progressive Media Summit in Abuja. At the event, he appeared in good health and encouraged young Nigerians in digital media to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Before that, on July 29, Tinubu had received the Super Falcons team after their victory at the WAFCON Championship in Morocco.
He stood throughout the event and personally congratulated each player and coach—while announcing monetary rewards that later sparked mixed public reactions.
However, his absence at a similar August 3 event honouring the D’Tigress basketball team, where Vice President Shettima stood in for him, raised further questions.
Although the presidency has continued releasing statements in Tinubu’s name, including one on August 6 announcing a healthcare initiative for retirees and increased pensions, there was no mention of when the corresponding meeting with the PenCom DG took place.
ICIR’s investigation revealed it occurred earlier and was held at the president’s private residence, not his office.
Onanuga later confirmed this detail.
The presidency also issued a condolence message on the same day following a tragic plane crash in Ghana that claimed several lives, including those of two government ministers.
FEC Meeting Postponed, Other Events Cancelled
The weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting did not hold last week. Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, had initially stated that the meeting would take place on August 6.
However, members of the cabinet were reportedly notified of a postponement, and none appeared at the Villa at the usual time.
When asked, Onanuga explained that the president had chosen to delay the meeting.
“Yes, he postponed it. It’s not an issue,” he said. “FEC can be held on any day, monday, Wednesday, or Thursday.”
ICIR also learned that several high-level meetings were quietly shelved, including one scheduled for August 5 with close allies of former President Muhammadu Buhari within the APC.
When pressed on the president’s repeated absences, Onanuga responded:
“Why must he be at all functions? He has a deputy. He can delegate. Do you want him to be doing public parade or something?”
Concerns over the president’s health have persisted since he assumed office in 2023, largely due to his frequent international travel, often to France, for what are officially described as “working visits” or “private trips.”
Below is a summary of President Tinubu’s major trips abroad since assuming office:
June 2023: Attended the New Global Financial Pact Summit in Paris (4–5 days)
January 2024: Took a 14-day private trip to France, returned in early February
August 2024: Brief four-day trip to France
October 2024: Two-week working vacation in the UK and France during his annual leave
November 2024: Three-day state visit to France at the invitation of President Macron; total stay around five days
February 2025: Private visit to France en route to AU meetings in Addis Ababa (approx. 7–8 days)
April 2025: Two-week working visit, with time spent in both France and London (14–19 days)
These repeated visits have continued to spark questions about the true purpose of the trips, especially as details are often sparse and updates minimal.
Still, the presidency maintains that the president is in good health and fully capable of discharging his duties.
“The president is working,” Onanuga emphasized. “That’s what matters.”
