Again, Bola Tinubu missing as Commonwealth members gather to strengthen socio-economic ties

The meeting is holding between November 1 and 4.

ADEFEMOLA AKINTADE • November 1, 2026

President Bola Tinubu is again absent as world leaders gathered for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda this week, to discuss policies aimed at strengthening socio-economic ties among member states.

The meeting is holding between November 1 and 4.

Like he skipped the United Nations General Assembly for the third time in a row this year, the President ditched the Commonwealth meeting to focus on his religious obligations in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The Nigerian leader ignored the international gathering for Umrah where he said he prayed for the country and citizens ahead of the general elections scheduled for January and February 2027.

Mr Tinubu sent a delegation that included the minister of foreign affairs Bianca Ojukwu and secretary to the government of the federation George Akume to represent him.

It remained unclear whether Mr Tinubu had other engagements that prevented him from attending the Commonwealth meeting, which his ally, King Charles III, was scheduled to attend.

Last Wednesday, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga informed Nigerians that Mr Tinubu travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser Hajj.

But Mr Onanuga did not give an exact date for the president’s return, adding only that he would be back in Nigeria by “next week” without specifying a day.

“The President is expected back in the country next week, after completing the spiritual exercise,” he said.

The vagueness of the language fuelled rumours about the President’s ailing health and made it difficult for Nigerians to know the actual and expected date of his return.

On Friday, Mr Onanuga issued another statement announcing that the Nigerian leader performed the Umrah early that morning.

But Mr Tinubu is already cultivating a habit of avoiding international gatherings.

He has not travelled to the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly since he attended the 2023 edition months after his inauguration.

In 2024, Mr Tinubu delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at the Commonwealth meeting. But, Mr Shettima could not attend after a foreign object struck his aircraft, forcing him to abort the trip.

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, subsequently stepped up to lead the Nigerian delegation to the Commonwealth meeting.

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