The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s continued stay abroad, insisting that he does not need to be physically present in Abuja to effectively perform his duties as Nigeria’s President.

The clarification was made by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement issued on Sunday, September 27, amid criticism over Tinubu’s extended stay outside the country after his official three-week leave.

Onanuga assured Nigerians that the President is “hale and hearty” and remains actively engaged in official duties while abroad.

“Nigeria’s President is hale and hearty. He has been on a working vacation, which he is perfectly entitled to,” he said.

The presidential aide argued that advances in technology have made physical presence in Abuja unnecessary for the President to discharge his constitutional responsibilities.

“In this digital age, he does not need to be physically present in Abuja to do the work for which he was elected in 2023,” Onanuga stated.

He said Tinubu had continued to engage investors and pursue economic initiatives during his stay abroad, citing his meetings with investors in France.

According to Onanuga, the President also recently facilitated discussions around a $7 billion deep-sea port project at Ogun Waterside, an initiative of the Ogun State Government.

The statement came against the backdrop of growing scrutiny from opposition figures and other Nigerians over the President’s prolonged absence from the country following the expiration of his official leave.

The Presidency, however, maintained that Tinubu remains fully engaged in governance and continues to perform his presidential responsibilities despite being outside Abuja.