Last updated on April 2nd, 2024 at 03:16 pm
From June 20, 2023, when President Bola Tinubu made his first foreign trip to Paris to date, he has embarked on 15 trips outside the shore of Nigeria.
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Just like former President Muhammadu Buhari who embarked on more than 100 international trips during his reign, here is the foreign travel history of President Bola Tinubu from May 29, 2023, to present.
Foreign Trips Before Inauguration
The former federal lawmaker, ex-governor of Lagos, and a political kingmaker, now a “king” had embarked on some foreign trips some days after he was declared the winner of the February elections.
According to statements by his media aide, his foreign trips were designed to woo foreign investors into the new government that would be headed by him.
He had been to London, Saudi Arabia, Paris, and Europe before his swearing-in. His pre-swearing-in trips were not under Nigeria’s bill.
His 2024 Travel History
April 2:
The president departed Abuja Tuesday, April 2, 2024, for Dakar, Senegal
Mission: To attend the inauguration of Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye, the youngest democratically-elected African president.
February 29:
He was on a two-day visit to Qatar at the invitation of the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He returned to Nigeria on March 4, 2024.
Purpose: To further strengthen cooperation between Qatar and Nigeria in the area of security, cultural exchange, and economic development and signing of several agreements including education, culture, solid minerals, digital economy etc
January 24:
He departed Abuja for Paris, France, on a private visit. He is expected back in the first week of February, according to his media chief, Ajuri Ngelale.
Purpose: An online media, Saharareporters, quoted an insider as saying the president was on medical leave in France.
His travel history in 2023
November 28:
The Nigerian President departed Abuja for Dubai, UAE, on November 28, 2023.
Purpose: For COP28 Climate Summit or the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC.
November 18:
Tinubu jetted out of Nigeria to Berlin, Germany.
Purpose: To attend the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) Conference.
November 15:
He travelled to Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
Purpose: For the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary and Armed Forces Day
November 9:
He was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Purpose: To attend the COP28 Climate Summit took place between December 1 through December 2, 2023. He returned to Nigeria on December 5, 2023.
September 17:
On Sunday, September 17, 2023, the Commander-In-Chief travelled again, this time to New York, United States of America.
Purpose: To attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly.
September 10:
Nigeria’s president travelled from India to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Purpose: To resolve the issue of a visa ban on Nigeria. He also discussed bilateral relations with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE.
September 4:
He proceeded to New Delhi, India on September 4, 2023.
Purpose: To attend the G-20 Leaders Summit on the special invitation of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
August 1:
He visited the Republic of Benin (Cotonou).
Purpose: For Benin Republic’s 63rd independence anniversary.
July 15:
The President travelled to Kenya (Nairobi) on July 15, 2023.
Purpose: To participate in the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (5thMYCM) of the African Union (AU), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and the African Union Member States.
July 8:
He was in Bissau, the capital of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
Purpose: For the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He also visited the Nigerian contingent stationed in the country under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force.
June 24:
On Saturday, June 24, 2023, Tinubu was in London for a private visit. The Nigerian leader was initially scheduled to fly from Paris, France, to Nigeria “but proceed to London, United Kingdom, for a short private visit,” his Special Adviser said.
And on Tuesday, June 27, he returned to Lagos, Nigeria, for the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.
June 20:
Tinubu’s first official presidential foreign trip was to Paris, France on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
Purpose: For a 2-day Paris Summit for the New Global Financial Pact.
Millions of Nigerians and the rest of the world wait in anticipation for the administration of Tinubu to renew Nigeria’s hope and change some of the unfavorable economic policies of his predecessor, we shall track his foreign trips and if they are making a meaningful impact on the country’s growth.
How Much Will Tinubu Spend On Foreign Trips in 2024?
Tinubu budgeted the sum of N6.992 billion for foreign trips, according to the details of the 2024 Appropriation Bill submitted to the National Assembly on November 29, 2023.
N638.535 million is budgeted for travels within Nigeria, making it a total of N7.630 billion on local and international travels for the president alone.
His vice and his appointees will also be spending big on foreign travel and touring the country in 2024.
Come back for an update when the Nigerian president travels again.
Conclusion:
Nigeria’s presidents are known for their inclination to attend international meetings and conferences. Some of them go as far as participating in events that could typically be delegated to the Minister of Foreign Affairs; however, they choose to be present themselves.
