Tinubu spends 261 Days abroad as Presidency’s travel spending hits N37.64bn

President Bola Tinubu has spent approximately 261 days outside Nigeria on foreign trips since assuming office in May 2023, while government expenditure records indicate that more than ₦37.64 billion was spent on presidential travels and related expenses between June 2023 and April 2026.

The figures emerged as Tinubu embarked on another three-week vacation to Europe on Sunday, with London, United Kingdom, as his first destination.

According to available official travel records and flight data, the latest trip brings the number of Tinubu’s foreign journeys since May 29, 2023, to 52.

His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President would return to Nigeria after the vacation to participate in preparations for the January 2027 general elections.

The Presidency, however, did not disclose the full itinerary for the latest trip or the other European destinations Tinubu may visit.

Presidency Spent ₦37.64bn on Travel-Related Expenses

An analysis of government expenditure records by GovSpend, an accountability platform that tracks public spending, showed that the Presidency spent exactly ₦37,639,227,853.51 on presidential trips, logistics, foreign exchange transactions and other travel-related expenses between June 2023 and April 2026.

The highest expenditure was recorded in 2024, when spending exceeded ₦25.26 billion.

A substantial portion of the expenditure was linked to foreign exchange allocations and funding for the Presidential Air Fleet.

The spending began shortly after Tinubu assumed office.

On June 23, 2023, several payments totalling more than ₦150 million were recorded for “presidential trips and other related expenses.”

In July of the same year, the Presidential Air Fleet received ₦846.03 million and another ₦674.82 million in foreign exchange transit funding.

Further transactions were recorded in August, including ₦152.37 million for $200,000, ₦228.55 million for $300,000 and ₦146.65 million for $315,300.

Another ₦250 million was recorded as a direct travel expense during the month, while the Presidential Air Fleet received additional forex funding of ₦2 billion and ₦713.22 million.

By September, four separate transactions of ₦197.69 million each were processed, with each linked to a $1 million allocation for presidential trips.

In November and December, one of the notable transactions was a ₦114.24 million payment to Hinterland Travel & Tours Limited for flight tickets.

52 Trips Across 30 Countries

Before his latest vacation, Tinubu had undertaken 51 foreign trips and visited at least 30 countries, spending an estimated 261 days outside Nigeria.

France has featured among his most frequently visited destinations, alongside London and the United Arab Emirates.

His foreign engagements have included international summits, bilateral meetings, state visits, investment forums, diplomatic engagements and working or private vacations.

Tinubu’s 2023 Foreign Travels

Tinubu’s first foreign trip as President was to Paris, France, from June 20 to 24, 2023, for the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact.

He subsequently travelled to Guinea-Bissau for an ECOWAS summit and Kenya for the African Union mid-year coordination meeting.

In August, he visited the Republic of Benin for its Independence Anniversary.

His September itinerary included India for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, followed by the United Arab Emirates and the United States, where he attended the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He later travelled to Germany for the G20 Compact with Africa conference, Saudi Arabia for the Saudi-Africa Summit and Guinea-Bissau for its 50th independence anniversary.

From November 27 to December 1, Tinubu visited France for a state visit before travelling to Dubai for COP28.

2024: France, Qatar, UK, China and Other Destinations

Tinubu began 2024 with a lengthy trip to France, where he spent about two weeks between January 24 and February 6 before proceeding to Ethiopia for an African Union summit.

He later visited Qatar from February 29 to March 4 for a state visit.

In April, he travelled to Senegal for the inauguration of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and subsequently visited the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.

The President also travelled to the United Kingdom and France around late April and May.

Other destinations during the year included South Africa, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, China and the UK.

His China trip lasted from August 29 to September 6, during which he attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. He later travelled to the UK for an engagement with King Charles III.

2025 Foreign Engagements

Tinubu travelled to Ghana in January 2025 for the inauguration of President John Mahama.

He subsequently visited the UAE for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and Tanzania for the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit.

France and Ethiopia also featured on his itinerary, followed by an extended working tour of France and the United Kingdom.

In May, he travelled to Vatican City for the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV.

He later embarked on a state visit to Saint Lucia before proceeding to Brazil.

Japan and Brazil were also among his destinations for the TICAD9 summit and a state visit.

Between September 4 and 17, Tinubu embarked on another working vacation in France and the UK.

On December 28, he left Lagos for an end-of-year break in France, which extended into January 2026.

Tinubu’s 2026 Travels

Tinubu began 2026 with an extended period outside Nigeria, spending 22 days abroad in January alone, including about 10 days in France as part of his end-of-year vacation.

He also visited the UAE from January 12 to 17 for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and Türkiye from January 26 to 31 for a state visit.

The Türkiye trip was described as his 47th foreign trip.

During the visit, Tinubu met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while Nigeria and Türkiye signed nine agreements covering areas including trade, energy, media and higher education.

In March, Tinubu travelled to the UK on a state visit, where he oversaw the signing of a £746 million deal aimed at modernising the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.

In May, he embarked on another international trip covering France, Kenya and Rwanda.

According to the State House, he departed Abuja on May 2 for France before proceeding to Nairobi for the Africa-France Summit.

He later visited Kenya from May 11 to 13 for the Africa Forward Summit, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto.

From Kenya, he proceeded to Rwanda, where he participated in the Africa CEO Forum from May 13 to 16.

Presidency Defends Latest Vacation

Meanwhile, the Presidency has defended Tinubu’s latest three-week vacation, describing it as a well-deserved break after months of dealing with major national issues.

Speaking to journalists at the airport, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the vacation would give Tinubu an opportunity to “refuel” ahead of the intense political activities expected before the 2027 elections.

“The President is proceeding on a well-deserved leave,” Dare said.

He noted that Tinubu had spent several months attending to issues of governance, particularly security and the economy.

“At this point, the campaign season has just started. We have four, five months of serious campaigning; of course, governance will continue,” he added.

Dare also stressed that the President would remain in touch with developments in Nigeria while on leave.

“At this point, it’s important that the President also refuels and even though he’s going on leave, we know that he’ll be engaged with state matters on a daily basis,” he said.

According to him, Tinubu would continue receiving briefings from ministers, service chiefs and other officials handling key government decisions during the vacation.

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