A new report by Statisense has unveiled the actual amounts spent on international travels by Nigerian presidents in recent years.
According to the report, there has been a significant increase in the budget for presidential foreign trips, particularly under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The breakdown of the international travel expenses is as follows:
2020 — ₦1.19 billion
2021 — ₦1.65 billion
2022 — ₦1.53 billion
2023 — ₦1.63 billion
2024 — ₦6.99 billion
2025 — ₦6.14 billion (proposed)
The figures indicate that the travel budget under President Tinubu in 2024 has far exceeded the total spending during the four years of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Nigerians react to rising travel costs
A social media user, @mauriceekpeyong, criticized the increase, saying:“The president is globe-trotting, wasting scarce government funds while the masses are facing serious economic hardship and dying of hunger.”
Another user, @linkx_0, compared the expenditures of the two presidents:“Buhari spent ₦6 billion in four years. Tinubu spent almost ₦7 billion in a year. This says a lot.”
Similarly, @Chisom_DeathRow noted how public outrage has been directed elsewhere:“The citizens won’t be angry at this but will instead direct their annoyance to Trump for cutting off HIV funds. Ndi ara na ndi mgbu.”
As criticisms mount, analysts and citizens are calling on the government to provide a breakdown of the expenditures and justify the surge in international travel costs. Some have suggested that funds allocated for travels should be redirected to pressing economic and social issues affecting Nigerians.
The presidency is yet to respond to the report and the reactions trailing it. However, with the growing public scrutiny, government officials may soon be compelled to address the concerns regarding the rising cost of presidential travels.