The Presidency has dismissed reports suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ill and set to be flown abroad for urgent medical attention.
An investigation by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) had quoted sources claiming the President had been bedridden for days, absent from key state functions, and had cleared his weekly agenda so his medical team could monitor his condition. Vice President Kashim Shettima was said to have represented him at several official engagements.
The ICIR further reported that some of the President’s scheduled activities were cancelled since the start of the week, with an Aso Rock insider hinting that his public appearances had been drastically reduced.
However, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, rubbished the claims. “People just tell you all kinds of rumours that have no basis at all,” he told ICIR, insisting that the President was actively working. “He was in his office yesterday (August 5). I was with him. I went to see him. He came to work.”
Speaking later to Daily Trust, Onanuga maintained there was nothing wrong with the President.
“There is nothing wrong with the president, he is okay. He can choose to work from home. He can choose to work from anywhere. I tell you nothing is wrong with the president,” he said.
On why Tinubu has been absent from public functions since last week, Onanuga replied that it was not compulsory for him to attend every event. “Why must he be at all functions? Is it compulsory he must be at all functions? He has a deputy. He can delegate,” he told ICIR. On his limited public appearances, he added: “I said he was in the office yesterday (August 5). I was with him. Do you want him to be doing public parade or something?”
President Tinubu was last seen publicly on August 1 at the opening of the Progressive Media Summit, where he appeared healthy and urged young Nigerians in the digital media space to harness their platforms for national growth. Days earlier, on July 29, he had personally received the victorious Super Falcons after their WAFCON Championship win in Morocco, standing for an extended period to congratulate the team and announce rewards — a gesture that later drew mixed reactions.
His absence from the D’Tigress reception on August 3, where Shettima represented him, raised fresh questions. The ICIR also revealed that the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting did not hold, with Wednesday’s session postponed by the President. “Yes, he postponed it. It’s not an issue,” Onanuga said, adding, “There is no certain time for FEC. The FEC meeting can be held on Monday, it can be held on Wednesday. It can be held on a Thursday.”
Several high-level meetings, including one with close associates of former President Muhammadu Buhari, were also quietly cancelled. A recent PenCom meeting held at the President’s private residence, days before it was publicised, further fuelled speculation.
Since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu has made multiple trips to France, reportedly spending over 50 days there on visits often described as private or working trips, a travel pattern that has raised debates about his health in the public space.
