RIPPPLESMETRICS: President’s journey costs N5.99 billion in two years

On April 2, 2025, the President of Bola Tinubu began his fifth journey to France since taking a position, which the president was described as “working visits.” The journey is expected to last for two weeks. However, this latest trip has triggered various reactions regarding the frequency of foreign trips by the president and its financial impacts on Nigeria.

In a statement issued by Bayo onanuga, a special advisor to the president about information and strategies, the president’s latest trip is for him to review the medium -term performance of administrative and to reflect on the ongoing reform and priority priorities for the main national development for the coming year.

Critics argue that this international journey increases the financial burden of government, regardless of the president’s commitment to reduce the size of his group for domestic and international trips. Conversely, the president states that many of these visits are very important to secure foreign investment and strengthen diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the countries visited. However, this justification has been filled with skepticism from several observers.

Since his inauguration, President Tinubu has carried out at least 25 international trips, often categorized as official or personal, to support Nigerian bilateral relations with other countries.

In 2023, between May 2023, when he was elected and December, the President spent a total of 50 days outside the country, guest countries like Germany (Berlin), Guinea-Bissau, Saudi Arabia (Republik Benin (Cotonou), Kenya (TAA.

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This visit continued in 2024, with countries such as Senegal, Qatar, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia added a long list of countries visited. A report gathered that in January 2025, the president spent 12 days on foreign trips visiting countries such as Ghana, UAE and Tanzania.

Budget for foreign trips

Meanwhile, the findings by RipplesMetrics, showed that a total of N5.99 billion had been spent by the president for foreign trips between June 2023 and October 2024 according to data from Govspend, a portal that documented the daily expenditure of the federal government. Costs include payments for foreign trips and purchase of foreign currencies for the president’s trip.

While payments for foreign travel costs N4.73 billion, payments for foreign exchange for the presidential journey cost N1.25 billion for the period reviewed.

This total includes expenditure from the State DPR headquarters, the Operations of the State Council (President), the operation of the State Building (Vice President) and the Office of the Chief of Staff for the President.

Describe costs, between the existing periods, the state DPR headquarters has spent N3.95 billion, the operation of the State DPR (President) spent N1.77 billion, the State DPR operation (Vice President) spent N217.94 million and the office of the Chief of Staff for the President spent N46.51 million only for the purchase of FX.

The government’s focus on maintaining a strong international presence is clear. However, this financial commitment emphasizes the importance of transparency, wise use of public funds, and provides a balance between important government functions and fiscal responsibilities.

By: James Odunayo

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