Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has adjusted the departure date for his multi‑nation working visit to France, Kenya and Rwanda, moving the take‑off from Saturday, 2 May 2026, to Sunday, 3 May 2026. The change was announced in a brief statement issued on Friday evening, 30 April 2026, by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The statement did not provide specific reasons for the 24‑hour shift, but it confirmed that the President would now depart Abuja on Sunday, travel first to Paris, France, and then proceed to Nairobi, Kenya, for the Africa‑France summit, before concluding the trip in Kigali, Rwanda.
The update came just 48 hours after the original itinerary was publicised. The initial schedule had Tinubu leaving the Presidential Villa on Saturday morning, but officials said logistical factors necessitated the adjustment. According to a senior Presidency source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the postponement was “purely administrative” and would not affect the substance of the engagements. “The President’s bilateral meetings and his participation in the Africa‑France summit remain unchanged. Only the departure time has been pushed back slightly,” the source said.
The Africa‑France summit, scheduled for 5‑6 May in Nairobi, will bring together dozens of African leaders and French President Emmanuel Macron. The gathering is expected to focus on economic partnerships, infrastructure financing, security cooperation and climate adaptation. Nigeria’s delegation will include several ministers and senior advisers. Tinubu will also hold separate bilateral talks with President Macron on the sidelines, expected to cover the lingering crisis in the Sahel, energy transition and the reform of international financial institutions.
After Nairobi, the President will travel to Kigali for a state visit to Rwanda. The Rwandan leg will follow the Africa‑France summit and is expected to last two days. Trade and investment, particularly in technology and aviation, will top the agenda. According to a statement from the Rwandan Presidency, the two leaders will also discuss peace and security in the Great Lakes region. The trip marks Tinubu’s first official visit to East Africa since he took office in 2023.
The 24‑hour departure adjustment is not the first change to the President’s travel plans. In March 2026, Tinubu postponed a trip to Qatar due to unforeseen domestic security developments. In February 2026, he cut short a visit to the United Arab Emirates after the fuel subsidy removal crisis escalated. The Presidency has defended these adjustments as necessary for efficient time management and to accommodate the President’s heavy domestic agenda. Critics have, however, questioned the frequency of rescheduling, with some opposition figures calling it a sign of poor planning.
The President’s travel plans are being closely watched by business leaders and diplomats, as France has remained a key partner in Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its economy away from oil. French companies are already major players in Nigeria’s electricity distribution, water treatment, and transport sectors. The Africa‑France summit is also expected to discuss the proposed Nigeria‑Morocco gas pipeline, a multibillion‑dollar project that would supply Nigerian gas to Europe via West Africa.
Given the packed schedule, the 24‑hour delay is unlikely to have any impact on the substantive outcomes of the trip. However, it has triggered fresh discussion about the President’s travel management style. A former Ambassador, who spoke off the record, noted that while rescheduling is not unusual for any head of state, frequent changes can create “a perception of unpredictability.” Nonetheless, the source added that “the most important thing is that the President arrives on time for the main event, which he will.”
The President is expected to be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Trade and Investment, and the National Security Adviser. The delegation is scheduled to return to Abuja by 8 May 2026. In the President’s absence, Vice President Kashim Shettima will act as the head of government, according to Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution.
The official itinerary shows that after arriving in Paris on Sunday evening, Tinubu will hold a working dinner with French business leaders. On Monday, he will attend the opening of the Africa‑France summit. He will then travel to Kigali on Wednesday morning. The trip is expected to reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to multilateralism and its role as a leading voice for African interests in global forums.
As the President’s aircraft prepares for take‑off on Sunday, the focus will now shift to the substantive outcomes of the visit. The rescheduling has already generated its own buzz, but for the government, the real story will be written in the diplomatic communiqués that follow.
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