President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will today depart Abuja, for a two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil, Daily Trust learnt yesterday. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said in a statement that while in Japan, President Tinubu will attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in the City of Yokohama from August 20 to 22. From there, he will proceed to Brazil, a country he has visited three times in the last nine months.
Daily Trust reports that there are whispers in some quarters over Tinubu’s alleged recent “obsession” with Brazil, akin to his numerous visits to France since he took over as president.
On his first leg of today’s visit starting with Japan, Tinubu will take part in a conference themed: “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” TICAD9, which will focus on Africa’s economic transformation and improvements in the business environment and institutions through private investment and innovation.
It will also promote a resilient and sustainable African society for human security, peace, and stability, he said.
The president, however, is leaving Abuja, six days before the Tokyo engagement, with the presidential aide saying that he would stop over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before proceeding to Japan.
Part of the statement issued yesterday, said in addition to attending plenary sessions on themes linked to the conference, the president will hold bilateral meetings and meet the chief executive officers of some Japanese companies with investments in Nigeria.
Initiated in 1993 by the Japanese government and co-hosted by the United Nations (UNDP) the African Union Commission, and the World Bank, TICAD is a triennial conference held alternately in Japan and Africa. The last one took place in August, 2022, in Tunisia. The forum fosters high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners, Daily trust gathered.
Brazil
The statement further disclosed that at the end of the TICAD9, President Tinubu will leave for Brasilia, the capital of the Federative Republic of Brazil, on a two-day state visit from Sunday, August 24, to Monday, August 25. The visit, according to the Presidency, followed an invitation by the Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
While in Brazil, President Tinubu will hold a bilateral meeting with his host and attend a business forum with Brazilian investors, it added. Daily Trust learnt that the president’s delegation—comprising key ministers and senior officials will also explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation and sign agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Brazilian government. It is worthy of note that this trip will be the third time the president will be visiting Brazil in the past nine months.
In November last year, President Tinubu travelled to Brazil to attend the 19th G20 Leaders Summit on November 18 and 19, 2024.
The two-day event brought together leaders from the world’s 20 biggest economies, plus representatives from the African Union, European Union, and major financial institutions. Onanuga, who announced the trip, said it was at the behest of Brazil’s president Lula da Silva, who chairs the G20.
Onanuga also said last year’s summit focused on “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet,” and that the gathering was expected to tackle major challenges like global poverty, hunger, energy transition, and sustainable development. During the summit, Tinubu advocated for changing how global institutions are governed, something Nigeria had long supported, he said.
“Nigeria has always strongly advocated for a reform of the global governing institutions, and often presented its impressive credentials as a strong contender for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council,” Onanuga explained.
He added that the meetings focused on boosting Nigeria’s social and economic progress, especially in farming, energy, and infrastructure.
And in July this year, barely a month ago, President Tinubu also visited Brazil after a state visit to Saint Lucia. It was reported that the president attended the BRICS summit, which held in the country.
Just like the fresh visit where the president is expected to move from Japan to Brazil, the last time, he proceeded to the country after a two day visit to Saint Lucia. During the visit to Saint Lucia, President Tinubu paid a courtesy call on the Governor-General, Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles and Prime Minister Philip Pierre. Following his engagements in Saint Lucia, the president proceeded to Brazil, where he participated in the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro from July 6-7, 2025. However, it would be recalled that after his engagement in Saint Lucia, for a few days, his whereabouts were unknown until he appeared in Brazil for the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro.
It was gathered that the president attended the summit on the strength of Nigeria’s status as a “partner country”- a membership category short of full status.
The Partner status is higher than that of a guest country, but South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia are African members of the BRICS.
The 17th BRICS Summit focused on “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”. Discussions were on Global South Cooperation and BRICS partnerships for social, economic, and environmental development. By the time the president travels to Brazil, after Dubai, (United Arab Emirates) and Japan, it would be his third time of traveling to the country since November last year.
Country’s status
Brazil’s population is estimated to be around 212. 6 million people. It is said to be the most populous country in South America and the population has been steadily increasing, The South American country is known for its export of football stars.
Recently, the country has expanded its agriculture sector. Its key products include Soybean, sugar, coffee and beef with the country being a leading exporter of these commodities. Nigeria and Brazil share strong, historical and cultural ties, with focus on strengthening bilateral relations through strategic dialogue and economic cooperation.
A source at the University of Abuja told the Daily Trust, last night, that as president, Tinubu has the window to decide which country to relate with.
“Presidents all over the world have their priorities and Tinubu is not an exception. It is about diplomacy. However, such relationships should have deliverables that can be measured.
“And instead of asking why the president is frequenting Brazil and France, Nigerians should quantify the benefits that come with the visits; and in the event that they could not see anything tangible, they have the right to raise the red flag and the president is expected to listen,” he said.
Speculation about ill health
Meanwhile, the president is traveling amidst speculation about his health. Last week, the president did not attend any public event, but was represented by Vice president Kashim Shettima in many of his engagements. But, following enquiries from Daily Trust, the Presidency dispelled rumour of illness.
This was after the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) had quoted sources as saying that preparations were underway by the president’s medical team to potentially fly him abroad for urgent medical attention. The medium also quoted an Aso Rock insider as saying that several of Tinubu’s scheduled activities had been cancelled since the beginning of the week. Daily Trust independently contacted Onanuga who dismissed the rumour of the president’s illness. On why the president did not attend any public function since last week, Onanuga replied that the president could choose to work from home.
“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,” the presidential spokesman told Daily Trust.
Shortly after the denial photographs emerged of the president meeting with some persons, including the governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, who said the president was in high spirit, hale and hearty. Apart from Soludo, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the senator representing Nasarawa West Aliyu Wadada, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun were also at the Villa to see the president.
At his first official outing after over a week, President Bola Tinubu, yesterday presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Present at the meeting which took place at the Council Chambers were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Also in attendance where majority of the ministers.
Just before the commencement of the FEC meeting, President Tinubu inaugurated Professor Dakas C.J Dakas as Chairman and Dr Uchenna Eugene as Commissioner, of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Akume, also announced to council members, the demise of Chief Audu Ogbeh. Ogbeh, who died last week was at one time the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) and a minister of Agriculture during the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Some of Tinubu’s foreign trips
Since taking office in 2023, President Tinubu has made frequent trips to France, sparking ongoing concerns about the transparency surrounding his health. He had reportedly spent over 50 days in France across several visits, often described as private or working trips.
June 2023: Attended the New Global Financial Pact Summit in Paris, spending around 4–5 days.
January 2024: Tinubu took a 14-day private trip to France, returning to Nigeria in early February.
August 2024: He took another brief trip to France, returning after four days.
October 2024: In early October, Tinubu travelled to the UK for a two-week working vacation as part of his annual leave. Reports indicate that during this time, he also travelled to France.
November 2024: Three‑day state visit to France following an invitation by President Emmanuel Macron, during which business and infrastructure agreements were signed; total stay about 5 days.
February 2025: Official visit to France which was described as a private visit en route to Addis Ababa for AU meetings; stayed around 7–8 days
April 2025: Two‑week working visit to France with time also spent in London; stayed around 14 -19 days.
(Daily trust)
