Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, have once again sparked public outrage as they embarked on yet another international trip to France.
Nigerians, frustrated by what they perceive as excessive travel, took to social media to voice their discontent, labeling Tinubu “Mr. Tourist” and accusing him of prioritizing personal trips over addressing pressing national issues.
Tinubu’s Incessant Travels
Since assuming office, Tinubu has embarked on numerous international journeys. These include trips to Paris, France (twice); London, United Kingdom; Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto-Novo, Benin Republic; New Delhi, India; Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates; New York, USA; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Berlin, Germany.
Analysis of expenses, conducted using GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyzes federal government spending, revealed that Chief Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, and Remi Tinubu spent a total of N8.64 billion on local and foreign trips between June 2023 and March 2024
Critics argue that their frequency has become a cause for concern as it has yielded no economic returns.
Economic Impact Questioned
Many Nigerians have pointed out that these travels have yet to yield tangible benefits for the nation’s struggling economy. Despite Tinubu’s promises of attracting foreign investments and fostering stronger international partnerships, the country remains gripped by inflation, rising unemployment, and a depreciating naira.
Amid these travels, the average Nigerian continues to struggle with hunger and economic hardship. Rising food prices, high inflation, and worsening poverty levels have left many households unable to afford basic necessities.
READ MORE:Tinubu’s Govt Says It Mounted ‘Diplomatic Pressure’ On Finland to Secure Arrest of Simon Ekpa
Call for Focus on Domestic Issues
The recurring theme among the criticisms is the need for Tinubu to focus on pressing domestic challenges rather than frequent travels. Nigerians are urging him to prioritize addressing the nation’s power issues, revamping industries, and tackling insecurity to improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
While the presidency maintains that these trips are essential for advancing Nigeria’s global standing, public patience appears to be wearing thin as citizens demand accountability and results.
A Nigerian who tweeted as @Corperemma took to X and wrote, “T-pain is just wasting our money on travels. France wan to give him their budget for us in 2025.”
Another netizen, @Scotneyego tweeted, “This is how @MBuhari wasted 8 yrs traveling around the whole world without archiving anything, we are not surprised, Nigeria presidency is a retirement home.”
“Our tax money gone to the drain again. Visit that will result to nothing
Other Africa country are trying so hard to get away from France but here is the worst president Nigeria have ever had going to invite them,” another Nigerian wrote on X.
In his own words, @thekolat said, “After subjecting many Nigerians into hardship and pain, you are just flying up and down..God dey.”
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