Bola Depart Nigeria on the Expense of Nigerians
Nigerians Raise Concern Over Tinubu’s Foreign Trips
Concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s frequent foreign trips have continued to grow among some Nigerians, with critics questioning the cost and timing of his travels amid the country’s economic challenges.
The concerns followed the president’s latest three-week annual vacation in Europe, which began on August 30, 2026, with London, United Kingdom, as his first destination.
According to available official travel records and flight data, Tinubu has undertaken 52 foreign trips since assuming office on May 29, 2023, spending approximately 261 days outside Nigeria.
The latest figures have also drawn attention to the cost of presidential travel.
An analysis of GovSpend records indicated that the Presidency spent N37.64 billion on presidential trips, associated logistics, foreign exchange transactions and other travel-related expenses between June 2023 and April 2026.
The expenditure included N9.19 billion recorded between June and December 2023, N25.27 billion in 2024, N2.71 billion in 2025 and N477.45 million between January and April 2026.
The latest vacation has therefore renewed questions among some citizens about the frequency and cost of presidential travels, particularly at a time when Nigerians continue to contend with high living expenses, unemployment and other economic difficulties.
One of those raising concerns, Mr Arinza Uche, urged the Federal Government to review spending associated with presidential travels and other expenditures he considered unnecessary.
Uche said the government should give greater attention to issues affecting Nigerians, including unemployment and poverty.
However, the Presidency has described the latest trip as part of the President’s annual leave. In a statement on August 30, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu would return to Nigeria after the working vacation to join preparations for the January 2027 election campaign.
The Presidency did not disclose the President’s full itinerary for the three-week vacation.
The debate over Tinubu’s foreign travels is expected to continue as Nigerians scrutinise the cost of governance and the administration’s spending priorities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
