Tinubu’s Paris stays draw scrutiny over diplomacy and presidential absence

President Bola Tinubu’s repeated visits to Paris and his absence from the United Nations General Assembly have drawn renewed scrutiny, with a Punch commentary questioning the political and diplomatic consequences of his travel pattern. The commentary focuses on Tinubu’s relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron, which it describes as a close and increasingly visible partnership. Tinubu first met Macron during a June 2023 summit in France, and Macron later hosted the Nigerian president and First Lady during a three-day state visit in November 2024.

The two leaders also met in Paris in September 2025 to review cooperation, while Macron subsequently pledged deeper security collaboration against terrorism in northern Nigeria. Tinubu has credited the partnership with producing “concrete security dividends” and said France agreed to provide equipment and support for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism effort. The commentary argues that Tinubu’s repeated trips to Paris have created unfavourable optics, particularly after Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, accused Nigeria’s government of working with France to destabilise his regime.

The Federal Government, the Presidency and the National Security Adviser denied that allegation. It also raises questions about Tinubu’s decision to extend a stay in Paris after departing Nigeria on August 30 for what was initially described as a three-week working holiday. The article says the extension occurred while Shettima represented Nigeria at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York and amid questions about whether the constitutional written declaration required during a presidential absence had been transmitted.

The commentary says Macron himself travelled to New York for the assembly, while Tinubu remained in Paris. It further argues that Tinubu’s absence meant he missed a possible first in-person meeting with US President Donald Trump, particularly after earlier tensions involving US claims about religious violence in Nigeria. The material does not state Tinubu’s reason for skipping the meeting.