Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will take the next 10 days off work to undergo treatment for an ear infection in London, an official statement from his office said Sunday.
Speculation over the president’s health has been swirling for weeks after he cancelled three official engagements.
“President Buhari will take 10 days off and travel to London from Monday June 6th, to rest,” according to the statement signed by his spokesman Femi Adesina.
“During the holiday, the president will see an ear, nose and throat specialist for a persistent ear infection.”
Buhari has been examined by his personal physician and a specialist in Abuja and both doctors “recommended further evaluation purely as a precaution,” the statement added.
Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo will stand in for Buhari.
The Nigerian presidency is historically cagey about health matters concerning the head of state.
The influential Guardian newspaper on Sunday quoted Adesina as denying media reports that Buhari was seriously ill.
The reports indicated that the ear infection has given the president hearing difficulties, the newspaper said.