Tinubu Embarks on Three-State Tour, to Usher in Holidays in Lagos

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to embark on a significant three-state tour beginning Saturday, departing Abuja for Borno, Bauchi, and finally Lagos, where he will spend the end-of-year holidays. This itinerary, announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, blends official duties, cultural engagements, and personal milestones.

In Borno State, Tinubu will commission key infrastructure projects spearheaded by Governor Babagana Zulum and federal initiatives. Highlights include the newly upgraded Muna-Garji road, a vital artery for humanitarian aid delivery in the northeast, and the multi-billion-naira Umaru Shehu Ultra-Modern Hospital in Monguno—both aimed at bolstering security and economic recovery in areas ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency. Recent reports confirm these projects have created thousands of jobs and improved access to healthcare for displaced communities.

The President’s visit coincides with the wedding of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of former Borno Governor and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to Hadiza Kam Salem. The high-society event in Maiduguri draws dignitaries from across Nigeria’s political landscape, underscoring enduring alliances in the region.

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From Maiduguri, Tinubu proceeds to Bauchi State for a condolence visit to Governor Bala Mohammed and the family of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, the revered leader of Nigeria’s Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood, who passed away on November 27 at age 90. The Sheikh, a Sufi scholar and peace advocate, mentored millions and influenced northern politics through his Bauchi-based Usmanu Dan Fodio Mosque complex. His death prompted nationwide tributes, with Tinubu among leaders offering prayers for the late cleric’s legacy of interfaith harmony.

Culminating in Lagos, Tinubu’s hometown, the President will serve as guest of honour at the Eyo Festival on December 27 at Tafawa Balewa Square. This iconic masquerade procession, rooted in 19th-century Lagos traditions, honors fallen heroes including Tinubu’s mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji—a pioneering market leader and APC matriarch—as well as former governors Lateef Jakande and Michael Otedola. The event, reviving a cultural spectacle dormant for years, promises vibrant displays amid heightened security for the holidays.

Tinubu’s tour reflects a blend of governance, grief, and celebration as Nigeria approaches 2026, with observers noting its potential to reinforce federal-state ties in the north and southwest.