Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has advocated for President Bola Tinubu to embark on more international trips, emphasizing their importance in fostering global relationships and securing investments.
The Minister stated that the President’s current travel schedule is insufficient for the nation’s needs. He argued that Tinubu must engage with other world leaders to build strong diplomatic ties.
This comes amid public concern over the President’s frequent travels, which some Nigerians criticize as a waste of taxpayer money under the guise of attracting foreign investments. Reports indicate that as of May 2024, Tinubu had spent approximately 96 days abroad since his inauguration, visiting countries like France, the United Kingdom, Kenya, the United States, India, and others, with some destinations visited multiple times.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Tuggar defended the President’s travels, highlighting their benefits.
“This administration is still in its early stages. President Tinubu was sworn in just last year. In global terms, he is still a new leader. To effectively establish relationships, he must interact with fellow heads of state. The results are evident—look at the investments we’re attracting,” he said.
He cited an example of Tinubu securing $2 billion in investments during a single visit to Brazil. Tuggar added, “In fact, we aren’t traveling enough. I believe we should do more. Nigeria has the resources. The cost of these trips is minimal compared to the benefits.”
The Minister further questioned critics of the travel expenses, contrasting them with the savings from the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies under Tinubu’s administration.
