President Tinubu leaves for Europe on 10-day annual trip 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed the Nigerian capital on Thursday to start a 10-day working trip in Europe, in response to a press release launched by his workplace.

The president, who’s in his second yr in workplace, will divide his time between France and the UK earlier than returning to Nigeria later this month, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s particular adviser on info and technique, mentioned within the announcement.

The presidency didn’t disclose whether or not Tinubu plans to carry official conferences throughout his time overseas. In previous situations, nonetheless, Nigerian presidents have mixed trip intervals with quiet discussions on financial and safety points, typically outdoors the general public eye.

The announcement marks the beginning of Tinubu’s 2025 annual go away, a convention for sitting presidents that sometimes spans a number of weeks all year long. He’s anticipated to return to Abuja following the ten working days, although no particular date was supplied.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja at the moment, September 4, to begin a working trip in Europe, as a part of his 2025 annual go away. The holiday will final 10 working days. President Tinubu will spend the interval between France and the UK after which return to the nation”. Onanuga mentioned within the assertion. 

What we all know 

The transfer mirrors Tinubu’s October 2024 retreat, when he departed for the UK for a two-week break. At the moment, Onanuga mentioned the president would use the interval to relaxation and mirror on his administration’s financial reforms. Tinubu returned after the 2 weeks expired.

• That earlier journey, reported by Nairametrics, fueled debate concerning the frequency and price of presidential journey. In accordance with finances watchdog BudgIT, the presidency spent at the very least N16.06 billion on international journeys between June 2023 and Could 2024. Of that, N10.93 billion was attributed on to the president’s journeys, whereas further quantities coated bills by the vice chairman, first girl, chief of employees, and the presidential air fleet.
• Critics questioned whether or not the bills align with Tinubu’s message of fiscal self-discipline, significantly as Nigerians cope with inflation, a weakening forex, and mounting insecurity.
• Different opinions argued that such journeys are mandatory for attracting international funding and strengthening diplomatic ties, significantly with European companions.

Tinubu’s alternative of France and the UK mirror longstanding political and financial ties. France stays an influential participant in West Africa, regardless of waning affect in some francophone nations, whereas the U.Okay. has traditionally been Nigeria’s most outstanding bilateral accomplice.