Since assuming office, Tinubu has embarked on 32 foreign trips to at least 19 countries, including France, the UK, the US, Germany, India, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. His frequent travels continue to be a subject of national debate amid growing economic concerns.MDAs, Presidency Spent N1.99bn on Foreign Trips, Training in France
Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government, alongside the Presidency, spent at least N1.99bn on foreign trips, training, and estacodes in France between May 2023 and September 2024, according to an analysis of data from GovSpend, a transparency platform by BudgIT that tracks public expenditure.
The funds covered airfare, hotel accommodation, visa processing, estacodes, training programs, and business meetings. A significant portion was allocated to executive training programs, study trips, and international conferences.
One of the largest single expenses was N626.91m, paid by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta for the training and type rating of 35 cadet pilots in South Africa, France, and Nigeria. The funds were transferred from the GIFMIS platform to the PAP Naira Transit Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The State House also recorded substantial spending on foreign trips, including N149.79m for foreign exchange purchases for the First Lady’s trip to France on April 1, 2024. Additionally, N6.29m was allocated in March 2024 for the processing of a five-year multiple-entry visa for the Vice President.
Several MDAs incurred significant expenses on overseas trips. The National Merit Award spent N15.5m as an advance payment for course fees for eight participants in a Paris training program from May 14 to 20, 2023. The Centre for Management Development allocated N34.3m for six officials, each receiving N5.71m, to attend training in France.
Some top officials were among the beneficiaries of these foreign trips. The Director-General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Adamu Jummai, and the former Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, Nuhu Fikpo, were fully funded for executive programs in Paris.
The Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited spent N41.09m on multiple officials, including the Technical Adviser to the NIGCOMSAT CEO, Temitope Yoosuf, for business meetings with Airbus in Toulouse, France. Jane Egerton-Idehen, its Chief Executive Officer, and Aisha Bantam, Head of Corporate Affairs at NIGCOMSAT, received N11.88m and N5.65m, respectively, to attend the World Space Business Week in Paris.
The Nigeria Football Federation spent N124.45m on flight tickets for Super Falcons players traveling between America, France, Spain, and Nigeria for their Olympic Games qualifier against Ethiopia.
Other notable payments included N10.62m by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for airfare for three officials attending the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting in Paris. The Fiscal Responsibility Commission also paid N7.90m for an officer to attend the 2023 International Bar Association Conference in France.
The Federal Ministry of Health paid N5.30m each for David Beine Atuwo and Olusola Ayoola to participate in the 11th EDCTP Forum in France, covering airfare and conference participation. The Defence Intelligence Agency made two significant payments totaling N574.52m for the salaries of two seconded staff of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit at Interpol in Lyon, France, and Egmont Group in Ottawa, Canada.
Rising Government Expenditure Amid Economic Challenges
The spending has raised concerns about government expenditure and the rising cost of governance. Amid high inflation, fiscal deficits, and a weakening naira, calls for greater accountability and transparency in public spending have intensified.
In President Tinubu’s first six months in office (June–December 2023), the State House reportedly spent at least N3.4bn on local and foreign travels. In the first three months of 2024, N5.24bn was spent on travel expenses for President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and First Lady Remi Tinubu. A breakdown showed that N1.35bn was spent on presidential trips and related expenses, N3.53bn on foreign currency purchases for 10 international trips, and N637.85m on air tickets for presidential trips.
Opposition parties have criticized Tinubu’s frequent travels, arguing that he is more focused on international trips than addressing pressing domestic issues. However, the Presidency has defended these trips, stating that they are essential for attracting foreign investments.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar previously justified Tinubu’s frequent travels, arguing that their benefits outweigh the costs. He dismissed concerns over the expenses, saying, “Nigeria has the money. How much does traveling cost compared to the benefits?”
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