ABUJA, Nigeria — Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after concluding his two-week annual leave two days ahead of his scheduled resumption date.

Highly placed presidency officials confirmed that the Vice President arrived in the nation's capital on Tuesday evening, August 18, 2026, instead of the official August 20 date.

Despite his early return, Shettima was absent from the Federal Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday at the State House, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

The Vice President had proceeded on his first vacation since assuming office on May 29, 2023, following approval from President Tinubu on August 6, 2026.

According to an earlier statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the leave was intended to provide Shettima time for reflection, study, and intellectual renewal.

Nkwocha noted that the period would enable the Vice President to review ongoing government initiatives and prepare for the accelerated implementation of the administration's Renewed Hope Agenda.

His early resumption coincides with the official commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections, which the Independent National Electoral Commission scheduled to begin on August 19, 2026.

Shettima continues to oversee several critical government initiatives, including his role as the chairman of the National Economic Council, which coordinates economic policies with state governors and the central bank chief.