Nigeria, Sept. 28 -- The presidency has dismissed concerns about President Bola Tinubu's prolonged absence from Nigeria, saying he is "hale and hearty" and will return to the country this week.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Mr Tinubu had been on a working vacation and continued to perform his official duties from abroad.

"President Tinubu is hale and hearty. He has been on a working vacation, which he is perfectly entitled to," Mr Onanuga said in a statement on Sunday.

The statement came after growing criticism of the president's absence from Nigeria, including his decision not to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Mr Tinubu left Nigeria on 30 August for ...