President Bola Tinubu has resumed work at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja following a two-week working vacation in the United Kingdom and France.
Upon his return, the President received a briefing from the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zaccheus Adedeji, on Monday.
A statement from the State House read, “President Bola Tinubu at his desk this morning, after returning from a two-week vacation. Mr President received a briefing from Zaccheus Adedeji, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service. Abuja, Monday, October 21, 2024.”
Tinubu had departed Abuja on October 2 for the United Kingdom, with his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explaining in a statement that the trip was part of the President’s annual leave.
Onanuga noted, “President Bola Tinubu will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms. He will return to the country after the leave expires.”
While in the UK, Tinubu left for Paris on October 11 for what was described as an “important engagement,” according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari.
Tinubu’s return comes amid growing concerns over delays in the presentation of the 2025 appropriation bill. The House of Representatives had recently raised questions regarding the time left for the presentation and passage of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, which informs the annual budget process.
The Fiscal Responsibility Act requires that the MTEF be submitted to the National Assembly at least three months before the annual budget is presented.
Lawmakers expressed concern that the limited time remaining before the end of the 2024 fiscal year could hinder thorough consideration and passage of the MTEF and the 2025 budget estimates.
The structured timeline set by the Act aims to ensure transparency and allow for adequate discussion of the government’s fiscal strategies before they are incorporated into the budget.
