President Tinubu Spends N3.4 Billion On Travel in First Six Months of Presidency, Faces Criticism

President Bola Tinubu has come under scrutiny for his significant spending on domestic and international travel during the initial six months of his presidency. Despite inheriting a budget halfway through the year, the President surpassed the allocated travel expenses for the entire year. The excessive spending, coupled with the purchase of luxury vehicles, has drawn criticism from the public.

President Bola Tinubu has expended a minimum of N3.4 billion on both domestic and international travel within the first six months of his presidency. This amount represents a 36 percent increase compared to the N2.49 billion allocated for travel expenses in the 2023 budget.

According to GovSpend, a civic tech platform tracking government spending, a total of N1.15 billion was allocated for presidential trips and related expenses in the past six months. However, monthly breakdowns reveal that President Tinubu exceeded the allocations, with N82.2 million spent in June, N393.3 million in August, and N287.9 million in September 2023. Additional expenses were recorded for November and December, amounting to N314.2 million and N69.2 million, respectively.

President Tinubu authorized the purchase of three bulletproof Mercedes Benz S-class 580 vehicles for N3 billion, as well as other vehicles for the State House. The President’s travel expenses also included payments to two travel tour companies, Hinterland Travels and Travel Options, totaling N732.8 million for the purchase of international and local air tickets.

In response to public criticism, President Tinubu announced a 60 percent reduction in his entourage size for both domestic and international trips. This decision aims to address concerns about excessive spending and streamline travel costs.

A substantial amount of N1.53 billion was used to purchase foreign currency during President Tinubu’s trips, including $5.1 million and 300 euros. On September 5, 2023, the President spent N791 million to acquire $4 million worth of foreign currency. Furthermore, the President’s wife, Oluremi Tinubu, spent N77.7 million to obtain foreign currency worth $94,314.

During his first seven months in office, President Tinubu visited several countries, including Paris, London, Bissau, Nairobi, Porto Novo, New Delhi, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, New York, Riyadh, and Berlin, spending a total of 55 days abroad.

Critics have raised concerns about the economic impact of these trips, particularly regarding the size of the President’s entourage. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicates a 43.55 percent decline in capital importation in the third quarter of 2023, despite the administration’s efforts to attract investments into the country.

Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, criticized the Tinubu administration for not being sincere in reducing the cost of governance. Rafsanjani argued that if the President were serious, he would have reduced allocations in the 2024 budget.