• 41 trips logged | 26 countries visited | Over 220 flight hours logged
• Tinubu must strike a balance between int'l diplomacy and domestic needs - Critic
'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - In their 18 months in office, President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have embarked on 41 foreign trips across 26 countries, collectively spending 180 days—equivalent to six months—outside Nigeria.
This extensive travel schedule, while aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic ties, has ignited debates about governance priorities amid pressing domestic challenges.
President Tinubu: 124 Days Abroad, 29 Trips to 16 Countries
President Tinubu has logged an impressive 124 days on foreign engagements, visiting 16 countries on 29 trips and accumulating over 127 flight hours. His travels span Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, with highlights including his attendance at the G20 Summit in India, the Saudi-Africa Summit, and the UN General Assembly in New York.
Some notable destinations include France, where Tinubu has made five trips; the United Kingdom, visited four times; and Saudi Arabia, visited twice. His itinerary also covered engagements in Germany, China, Senegal, and Qatar.
Tinubu’s diplomatic pursuits have been extensive, such as co-chairing the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and engaging world leaders at COP28 in Dubai. His trips aim to strengthen Nigeria’s global standing and attract foreign investments.
Vice President Shettima: 57 Days Abroad, 13 Trips to 10 Countries
Vice President Shettima has also been active on the international stage, spending 57 days abroad on 13 trips to 10 countries, amassing over 95 flight hours. His visits included participation in the Russia-Africa Summit, the BRICS Summit in South Africa, and the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Shettima represented Nigeria at significant global events, such as the G77+China Leaders’ Summit in Cuba and bilateral talks in Sweden. His longest trip spanned 20 days, attending the Belt and Road Initiative Forum in China and other international dialogues.
Criticisms and Justifications
The frequent absence of Nigeria’s two top leaders has drawn criticism from political figures and civil society. Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi questioned the necessity of some trips, particularly when both Tinubu and Shettima were simultaneously absent, leaving the country in a precarious leadership vacuum.
Obi remarked, “It is concerning for a country grappling with myriads of domestic problems to have its President and Vice President out of the country at the same time.” He also criticized the delegation of tasks that could have been handled en route during other trips.
Civil society organizations have also raised concerns about the cost and efficacy of these trips. Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, urged for prudence in selecting engagements that yield tangible economic benefits.
Presidential aides, however, have defended the travels, highlighting their strategic importance. Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga emphasized that these trips have laid the groundwork for critical investments and agreements, such as Siemens' involvement in Nigeria’s power sector and energy collaborations with UAE and Saudi Arabia.
While the Presidency assures Nigerians of the long-term benefits of these foreign engagements, the extensive travel schedules highlight the balancing act required to address domestic challenges while maintaining an active international presence.
As Tinubu prepares to co-chair the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Cape Town next week, the administration faces continued scrutiny over its prioritization of international diplomacy over pressing national issues.
With 18 months of governance ahead, the Tinubu administration has an opportunity to strike a balance between international diplomacy and addressing the pressing needs of Nigerians. Whether these trips will yield the promised dividends remains to be seen.
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