President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Saturday depart Abuja on a three-state visit that will take him to Borno, Bauchi and Lagos States. The visit combines official duties, personal engagements, and traditional events as the President rounds off activities for the year.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s first stop will be Borno State in the North-East. While in the state, President Tinubu is expected to commission several projects carried out by the Borno State Government under Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, as well as projects supported by the Federal Government.
Borno State has been at the centre of Nigeria’s security challenges for over a decade due to insurgency. However, in recent years, the state government, working with the Federal Government and security agencies, has focused on rebuilding communities, improving infrastructure and supporting displaced persons. Governor Zulum, who has been in office since 2019, has gained national attention for his hands-on approach to governance, especially in education, housing and healthcare.
The commissioning of projects by President Tinubu is seen as part of the Federal Government’s support for ongoing recovery and development efforts in the state. These projects are expected to include roads, public buildings and other facilities aimed at improving the lives of residents and strengthening government presence in affected areas.
During his stay in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, President Tinubu will also attend a wedding ceremony. The event is the wedding of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of former Borno State Governor and Senator, Ali Modu Sheriff, to his bride, Hadiza Kam Salem. Ali Modu Sheriff served as governor of Borno State from 2003 to 2011 and later represented the state in the Senate. He is also a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The President’s attendance at the wedding highlights the importance of social and cultural ties in Nigerian public life, where leaders often participate in major family events as a sign of goodwill and unity.
After concluding his engagements in Borno, President Tinubu will travel to Bauchi State, also in the North-East. In Bauchi, the President will pay a condolence visit to the state government and the family of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, a highly respected Islamic scholar and leader of the Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood, who died on November 27.
Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was one of the most influential Muslim clerics in Nigeria and West Africa. For decades, he played a major role in Islamic teaching, preaching peace, tolerance and spiritual discipline. As the leader of the Tijjaniyya sect, he had millions of followers across Nigeria and beyond. His death was widely mourned, with tributes pouring in from religious leaders, traditional rulers and political figures across the country.
The condolence visit by President Tinubu is expected to recognise the Sheikh’s contributions to religious harmony and moral guidance in Nigeria. It also reflects the long-standing tradition of Nigerian leaders paying respects to prominent religious figures and their families during times of loss.
From Bauchi, President Tinubu will proceed to Lagos State, where he will spend the end-of-year holiday. Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, holds special significance for the President. Tinubu served as governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 and is widely credited with laying the foundation for many of the reforms that shaped the state’s growth in the years that followed.
While in Lagos, the President is expected to take part in several activities, including traditional and cultural events. One of the major highlights of his stay will be his role as the guest of honour at the Eyo Festival scheduled for December 27 at the Tafawa Balewa Square.
The Eyo Festival, also known as the Adamu Orisha Play, is one of Lagos State’s most important cultural events. It is a traditional masquerade festival of the Yoruba people, especially the indigenes of Lagos. The festival is usually held to honour the passing of a prominent Lagos personality or to celebrate major state occasions. It is also seen as a symbol of Lagos’ rich cultural heritage and history.
This year’s Eyo Festival will honour several notable figures, including President Tinubu’s late mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji. She was a respected trader and community leader in Lagos and played an important role in shaping her son’s early life and political journey. Also to be honoured are two former governors of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Michael Otedola.
Alhaji Lateef Jakande, fondly known as “Baba Kekere,” served as governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983. He is remembered for his strong focus on education, housing and public transportation. Chief Michael Otedola, who governed Lagos State from 1992 to 1993, also played a key role in the state’s political history and is the father of billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote’s contemporary, Femi Otedola.
President Tinubu’s presence at the Eyo Festival is expected to attract large crowds and add to the significance of the event. It also underlines the President’s close ties to Lagos and his continued interest in the state’s cultural and social life, even as he leads the nation.
The three-state visit comes at a time when President Tinubu is balancing governance with efforts to strengthen national unity and cultural identity. Since assuming office, his administration has focused on economic reforms, security, infrastructure development and social welfare. Public appearances such as this tour offer the President an opportunity to connect directly with citizens, state governments and traditional institutions.
As Nigerians prepare for the end-of-year celebrations, the President’s itinerary reflects a mix of official responsibility, respect for tradition and personal connection. From commissioning development projects in Borno, to honouring a revered religious leader in Bauchi, and celebrating culture in Lagos, the visit highlights the diverse social, religious and cultural fabric of the country.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja after the holiday period to resume full official duties in the new year.
