NEWS
President Tinubu’s Foreign Trips In One year
Since being sworn in on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has embarked on at least 19 trips abroad for both official and unofficial purposes.
President Tinubu began his official travels in June, just weeks after taking office. According to him and his team, the trips aimed to enhance Nigeria’s global standing, promote economic growth, and tackle various national challenges.
In this analysis, BIZTELLERS delves into the president’s international journeys during his inaugural year, shedding light on the purpose of each trip and its impact on Nigeria’s pressing issues.
In June, just a few weeks after taking office, President Tinubu embarked on his inaugural international journey to France for the New Global Financial Pact Summit.
During the two-day summit, the President championed his vision for expanding the fiscal realm, advocating for economic justice in Africa amidst the global energy transition, and stressing the imperative of tackling poverty and climate change on a global scale.
Following the summit in France, President Tinubu was scheduled to return to Nigeria.
However, his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy, Dele Alake, announced that the President would make a brief private visit to London before returning for the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.
On July 8, President Tinubu embarked on his first official visit within Africa since taking office, traveling to Guinea-Bissau for the 63rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
During the summit, he was elected as the new Chairman of ECOWAS, succeeding President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau.
On July 15, President Tinubu traveled to Kenya in his capacity as Chairperson of ECOWAS to attend 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.
The meeting aimed to enhance regional integration within ECOWAS, with a particular focus on initiatives related to trade, the free movement of people, promotion of investment, infrastructure development, as well as fostering peace, security, and stability in the region.
On August 1, President Tinubu undertook a brief journey to the Benin Republic to participate in the country’s 63rd independence anniversary ceremony.
Subsequently, he received a special invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G-20 Leaders’ Summit. President Tinubu then traveled to New Delhi, India, on September 4 to participate in the summit.
During his visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), President Tinubu met with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to address the visa ban on Nigeria and discuss bilateral relations.
In September, President Tinubu journeyed to New York, United States of America, to participate in the 78th United Nations General Assembly.
During his address, President Tinubu underscored the significance of prioritizing African development, urging world leaders and global institutions to increase investment in the continent.
On November 9, President Tinubu departed from Abuja for Saudi Arabia to participate in the inaugural Saudi-Africa Summit scheduled for November 10.
The summit’s agenda focused on fostering joint initiatives, improving political coordination, addressing regional security challenges, and promoting economic transformation through research and the domestic development of innovative energy solutions.
President Tinubu embarked on another journey to Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, on November 15, to commemorate the country’s 50th independence anniversary and armed forces day.
Subsequently, on November 18, President Tinubu traveled from Nigeria to Berlin, Germany, to participate in the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) conference.
At the conference, President Tinubu joined other Heads of State from CwA member countries to discuss ways to enhance economic and business cooperation, with a focus on increasing investments in various sectors such as energy, trade, infrastructure, and new technologies.
President Tinubu departed from Abuja for Dubai on November 28 to attend the COP28 Climate Summit, also known as the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC).
The summit stirred controversy among Nigerians on social media when it was disclosed that over 1,400 Nigerian delegates accompanied the President.
On January 24, President Tinubu resumed his international engagements with a private visit to Paris, France, marking his first trip of the year.
Subsequently, the President embarked on a two-day visit to Qatar on February 29, following an invitation from the Emir of the State of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. President Tinubu returned to Nigeria on March 4, after the visit aimed at bolstering cooperation between Qatar and Nigeria in various domains, including security, cultural exchange, and economic development.
2023 — No. of Days
20 Jun: 🇫🇷France — 7 days
24 Jun: 🇬🇧United Kingdom — 3 days
08 Jul: 🇬🇼Guinea-Bissau — 2 days
15 Jul: 🇰🇪Kenya — 2 days
01 Aug: 🇧🇯Benin — 0 day
04 Sep: 🇮🇳India — 6 days
10 Sep: 🇦🇪UAE — 2 days
18 Sep: 🇺🇸USA — 11 days
09 Nov: 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia — 7 days
16 Nov: 🇬🇳Guinea — 0 day
18 Nov: 🇩🇪Germany — 4 days
29 Nov: 🇦🇪UAE — 6 days
2024 — No. of Days
24 Jan: 🇫🇷France — 13 days
15 Feb: 🇪🇹Ethiopia — 4 days
29 Feb: 🇶🇦Qatar — 4 days
02 Apr: 🇸🇳Senegal — 0 day
23 Apr: 🇳🇱Netherlands — 3 days
26 Apr: 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia — 12 days
23 May: 🇹🇩Chad — 0 day
2023 — 50 Days
2024 — 36 Days
President Tinubu’s foreign trips accounted for a total of 6 days out of 366 days, roughly equating to spending approximately 1 in every 4 days abroad during the year.
Panic has spread through Monatan community in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State following the abduction of a 60-year-old building materials trader by suspected armed men.
The incident occurred on Saturday night along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road in Ibadan when the victim was intercepted by four masked gunmen while returning home at about 8:47 pm.
The attackers reportedly operated in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla before forcefully whisking the victim away to an unknown destination.
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Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the state police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the matter was reported on May 2, 2026, and that security operatives had already begun rescue efforts.
He stated: “I can confirm that there was a case of abduction reported on May 2, 2026, at about 2047hrs from the Monatan area of Ibadan. Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle. Upon receipt of the report, police operatives swiftly visited the scene and activated necessary operational measures aimed at rescuing the victim and apprehending the perpetrators.”
Residents of the area have expressed fear over rising insecurity, urging authorities to intensify surveillance and prevent further attacks.
Security agencies assured that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim and arrest those responsible.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned the rising wave of attacks on its citizens in South Africa, summoning the country’s top diplomat in Abuja over what it described as persistent xenophobic violence.
The move follows recent incidents in which Nigerians were reportedly targeted, including the killing of one citizen and injuries sustained by others in separate attacks by unidentified gunmen.
The government said the pattern of violence has become alarming and unacceptable.
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Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed that South Africa’s acting high commissioner has been invited for urgent discussions.
According to him, the meeting will address “documented cases of maltreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses.”
Nigeria’s action comes amid growing continental concern over the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa, where repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence have been recorded over the years.
Similarly, Ghana recently summoned South Africa’s envoy in Accra following reports of harassment and intimidation of its citizens.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed that a Ghanaian resident was confronted and asked to leave South Africa in a recent incident, heightening fears among migrants.
South Africa remains one of Africa’s top destinations for migrants due to its relatively advanced economy.
However, high unemployment and economic challenges have often fueled resentment against foreigners, leading to periodic violence.
Reacting to the development, South Africa’s acting police minister, Firoz Cachalia, condemned the attacks, stating that such actions are unlawful and contrary to the country’s constitutional values.
He assured that security agencies have been directed to act decisively against perpetrators, emphasizing that xenophobia, violence, and intimidation will not be tolerated.
The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, warning that it will continue to engage diplomatically until the safety and rights of Nigerians in South Africa are fully guaranteed.
Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said that Nigeria’s current minimum wage can no longer sustain a decent standard of living, as worsening economic realities continue to weigh heavily on citizens.
Obi made this known in a statement released on Friday to commemorate International Workers’ Day, where he highlighted the growing hardship faced by Nigerian workers amid rising inflation and the increasing cost of living.
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According to him, the value of wages has been significantly eroded by soaring food prices, transportation costs, and general economic instability, leaving many workers struggling to survive despite being employed.
He stressed that it is unfair that citizens who contribute daily to the nation’s development are unable to meet their basic needs, noting that the dignity of labour is gradually being undermined.
“The minimum wage today cannot guarantee even the most modest standard of living,” Obi said, warning that the situation could further worsen if urgent steps are not taken.
The former Anambra State governor called for immediate wage adjustments and comprehensive economic reforms aimed at improving the welfare of workers and stabilising the economy.
Obi also emphasised the importance of investing in human capital, stating that no country can achieve meaningful growth without a productive and well-supported workforce.
He urged Nigerian workers to actively participate in the democratic process by supporting credible and competent leadership that prioritises the well-being of citizens.
Obi concluded by calling for a fairer society built on justice, equity, and respect for labour, adding that empowering workers remains key to national prosperity.
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