Tinubu Faces Criticism Over 14 Foreign Trips in 9 Months

Nigerians have expressed discontent over President Bola Tinubu’s frequent foreign trips amidst the country’s ongoing economic struggles. Since taking office, Tinubu has embarked on 14 international journeys, a move that has sparked criticism, especially as his administration’s policies have led to a sharp rise in the cost of living. Continue Reading>>>

Reports that key economic measures, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, have severely impacted the prices of goods and services, leaving many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet. Despite urging citizens to tighten their belts for a better future, President Tinubu’s numerous travels abroad since January 2024 have been met with public outrage.

Data from StatiSense shows that Tinubu’s international travels began with a trip to France on January 24, followed by Ethiopia, Qatar, Senegal, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Chad, South Africa, Ghana (twice), Equatorial Guinea, China, and the United Kingdom (twice). These trips, some of which were official and others personal, have drawn heavy criticism for the cost to the nation’s treasury.

Olumide Ohunayo, general secretary of the Aviation Round Table Initiative (ARTI) and director of Research at Zenith Travel and Tour, decried the president’s frequent travels, particularly in light of the tough economic policies being imposed on Nigerians. According to Ohunayo, the government is incurring significant expenses on aircraft fuel, maintenance, and navigational charges in each country visited.

“Fourteen foreign trips in less than a year is excessive, especially when the government is asking citizens to make sacrifices. The president recently returned from China after passing through England and France, and now he’s taking a vacation in England with a new jet. This is happening while Nigerians are suffering under these harsh economic measures,” Ohunayo stated.

He added that instead of taking costly vacations, the president should have prioritized attending official events, such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which would have brought greater benefits to Nigeria.

Similarly, Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), CEO of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, explained that each of the president’s trips consumes a minimum of 50,000 liters of aviation fuel, with significant additional costs for navigational charges, parking, and accommodations for the crew. He noted that a single round trip to London, for example, costs approximately N75 million in fuel alone. Continue Reading>>>

The backlash highlights growing frustrations among Nigerians, who are increasingly critical of the government’s actions in the face of widespread economic hardship. While the president’s foreign engagements may have official purposes, the perceived extravagance of these trips has only added to public dissatisfaction.