The presidency has responded to concerns over the simultaneous absence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima from the country, clarifying that their absence does not leave a vacuum in governance.
This clarification was issued in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Wednesday.
President Tinubu departed Nigeria on 3 October for a two-week working vacation in the United Kingdom, while Vice President Shettima left Abuja on Wednesday for a two-day working visit to Sweden.
Onanuga’s statement, titled “There’s No Vacuum in Leadership as the President and VP Are Out of the Country,” reassured Nigerians that government operations remain fully functional despite the absence of the nation’s top two leaders.
“It is important to note that the President and Vice President are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away. There is no leadership vacuum in the country,” the statement read.
Onanuga emphasised that all arms of government continue to operate smoothly, with the Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ministers, and service chiefs performing their duties without interruption.
He further explained that the constitution allows flexibility in governance, enabling the president and vice president to discharge their responsibilities remotely.
“The constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or vice president in the country at all times to fulfil their duties,” he said.
Onanuga cited past instances where the absence of both the president and vice president did not affect governance.
He referenced 2022, when former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were simultaneously out of the country.
Buhari had attended the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA 77, in New York, while Osinbajo represented Nigeria at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London.
Similarly, earlier this year, Tinubu and Shettima were out of the country on separate official engagements, with no disruption in government activities.
“Between late April and early May this year, President Tinubu was in London after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia for the World Economic Forum, while Vice President Shettima travelled to Nairobi for the IDA21 Heads of State Summit. He also attended the US-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas. During this period, the government’s machinery did not halt,” Onanuga explained.
Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima’s trip to Sweden is aimed at fostering bilateral relations and advancing Nigeria’s economic interests.
According to a statement by his media assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima will meet with key Swedish government officials, including Crown Princess Victoria and the Prime Minister.
The Vice President is expected to explore opportunities for collaboration in areas such as ICT, education, sustainable transport, mining, and agriculture.
Additionally, Shettima will engage with Norrsken, a Stockholm-based venture capital impact investor, which recently launched Norrsken22—a $205 million technology growth fund targeting African entrepreneurs.
Nkwocha noted that 40 per cent of the fund’s investments are expected to benefit Nigerian tech entrepreneurs.
The Vice President will also meet with Nigerian private sector companies operating in Sweden and promote Nigeria’s economic reforms to encourage foreign investments.
“Senator Shettima will articulate Nigeria’s economic vision and the reforms being undertaken by the administration to create a business-friendly environment in Nigeria,” Nkwocha said.
The Vice President is scheduled to return to Nigeria on Saturday.
The presidency assured Nigerians that President Tinubu remains actively involved in governance during his vacation.
“During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires,” the statement added.
This explanation comes amid growing public scrutiny over the absence of the nation’s top leaders. The presidency, however, insists that the situation poses no disruption to governance.
- AG Fagbemi Says Presidential Clemency Process Still Under Review - October 18, 2025
- IMF Excludes Nigeria from List of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Economies - October 18, 2025
- Nigeria’s Inflation Falls to 18.02% in September - October 16, 2025