Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has embarked on more than 30 foreign trips, spending over 120 days outside Nigeria — a record that has stirred public debate over cost and governance at home.
Figures show that in his first seven months in office, Tinubu visited 16 countries and spent about 55 days abroad. By April 2024, the number of trips had risen to 17, and by early 2025, the tally stood between 29 and 36, with estimates of 124 to 165 days spent outside the country.
His key destinations have included France, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, South Africa, Qatar, and the Vatican. The presidency insists the trips, mostly tied to economic diplomacy and international summits, have attracted more than \$50 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) pledges.
But critics argue that the frequent travels come at a time when Nigerians face worsening inflation, unemployment, and rising living costs. They also point to comparisons with former President Muhammadu Buhari, who spent fewer days abroad within the same timeframe.
As Tinubu begins his 2025 annual leave in Europe, concerns persist over whether his foreign engagements will translate into tangible benefits for struggling citizens.
