President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has spent approximately 261 days outside Nigeria on foreign trips since assuming office in May 2023, while government expenditure records indicate that the Presidency incurred more than ₦37.64 billion on presidential travels and related expenses between June 2023 and April 2026.
Tinubu’s latest foreign journey began on Sunday when he departed Abuja for Europe for a three-week vacation, with London, United Kingdom, listed as his first destination.
The latest trip brings the number of Tinubu’s foreign trips since May 29, 2023, to 52, based on available official travel records and flight data.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the President would return to Nigeria after his vacation and participate in preparations ahead of the January 2027 elections.
However, the Presidency has not released the full itinerary for the holiday or disclosed the other European destinations Tinubu may visit.
An analysis of government expenditure records by GovSpend, an accountability platform that monitors public spending in Nigeria, showed that the Presidency spent exactly ₦37,639,227,853.51 on presidential trips, logistics, foreign exchange transactions and other travel-related expenses between June 2023 and April 2026.
The spending was distributed across the period as follows:
* June–December 2023: ₦9,185,966,339.75
* 2024: ₦25,269,969,240.92
* 2025: ₦2,705,843,328.38
* January–April 2026: ₦477,448,944.46
The highest expenditure was recorded in 2024, when more than ₦25.26 billion was spent.
A substantial portion of the expenditure was attributed to foreign exchange allocations and funding associated with the Presidential Air Fleet.
How the Spending Began
The expenditure started shortly after Tinubu assumed office.
On June 23, 2023, several payments totalling more than ₦150 million were made for what was described as “presidential trips and other related expenses.”
In July, the Presidential Air Fleet received ₦846.03 million and a further ₦674.82 million as foreign exchange transit funding.
Additional transactions were recorded in August, including ₦152.37 million for $200,000, ₦228.55 million for $300,000 and ₦146.65 million for $315,300.
The month also recorded another ₦250 million in direct travel expenses, while the Presidential Air Fleet received additional forex allocations of ₦2 billion and ₦713.22 million.
By September, four separate transactions of ₦197.69 million each were processed, with each payment linked to a $1 million allocation for presidential trips.
In November and December, one of the notable transactions was a ₦114.24 million payment to Hinterland Travel & Tours Limited for flight tickets.
Tinubu’s 51 Foreign Trips Before Latest Vacation
Before embarking on his latest vacation, Tinubu had undertaken 51 foreign trips, visited at least 30 countries and spent about 261 days abroad, according to available records.
France has featured prominently among his destinations, alongside London and the United Arab Emirates.
His foreign engagements have included international summits, state visits, bilateral meetings, investment forums, diplomatic engagements and working or private vacations.
Tinubu’s Foreign Trips in 2023
Tinubu’s first foreign trip as President was to Paris, France, from June 20 to 24, 2023, where he attended the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact.
In July, he travelled to Guinea-Bissau for an ECOWAS summit and later visited Kenya for the African Union mid-year coordination meeting.
He also travelled to the Republic of Benin in August to attend its Independence Anniversary.
In September, Tinubu visited India for the G20 Leaders’ Summit before proceeding to the United Arab Emirates. He later travelled to New York, United States, for the 78th United Nations General Assembly.
His 2023 itinerary also included Germany for the G20 Compact with Africa conference, Saudi Arabia for the Saudi-Africa Summit and Guinea-Bissau for its 50th independence anniversary.
Between November 27 and December 1, Tinubu embarked on a state visit to France before travelling to Dubai, UAE, for COP28.
Tinubu’s 2024 International Travels
Tinubu began 2024 with a trip to France, where he spent about two weeks between January 24 and February 6 before travelling to Ethiopia for the African Union summit.
He subsequently visited Qatar from February 29 to March 4 for an official state visit.
In April, the President travelled to Senegal for the inauguration of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye before visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.
His engagements also took him to the United Kingdom and France between late April and May.
In May, Tinubu attended the inauguration of Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby.
Other destinations during the year included South Africa, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, China and the United Kingdom.
Tinubu’s China trip lasted from August 29 to September 6, during which he attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. He later travelled to the UK for an engagement with King Charles III.
Tinubu’s Foreign Engagements in 2025
In January 2025, Tinubu travelled to Ghana for the inauguration of President John Mahama.
He subsequently visited the United Arab Emirates for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and Tanzania for the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit.
France and Ethiopia were also part of his itinerary, followed by an extended working tour of France and the United Kingdom.
In May, Tinubu travelled to Vatican City to attend the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV.
He later embarked on a state visit to Saint Lucia before travelling to Brazil.
Japan and Brazil were also among his destinations for the TICAD9 summit and a state visit.
Between September 4 and 17, Tinubu embarked on another working vacation in France and the UK.
On December 28, he departed Lagos for an end-of-year break in France, which extended into January 2026.
Tinubu’s International Travels in 2026
Tinubu began 2026 with an extended period outside Nigeria, spending 22 days abroad in January alone, including about 10 days in France as part of his end-of-year vacation.
He also visited the UAE between January 12 and 17 for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and travelled to Türkiye from January 26 to 31 for a state visit.
The Türkiye trip was described as his 47th foreign trip.
During the visit, Tinubu met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with Nigeria and Türkiye signing nine agreements covering areas including trade, energy, media and higher education.
In March, Tinubu travelled to the United Kingdom on a state visit, where he oversaw the signing of a £746 million deal aimed at modernising the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
In May, he embarked on another international trip covering France, Kenya and Rwanda.
According to the State House, Tinubu departed Abuja on May 2 for France before proceeding to Nairobi for the Africa-France Summit.
He later visited Kenya from May 11 to 13 for the Africa Forward Summit, which was co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President William Ruto.
From Kenya, the President proceeded to Rwanda, where he participated in the Africa CEO Forum from May 13 to 16.
Presidency Defends Tinubu’s Vacation
Meanwhile, the Presidency has defended Tinubu’s latest vacation, describing it as necessary after months of dealing with major national issues.
Speaking to journalists at the airport, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, described the holiday as an opportunity for Tinubu to “refuel” ahead of the intense political activities expected before the 2027 elections.
“The President is proceeding on a well-deserved leave,” Dare said.
According to him, Tinubu has spent several months handling governance issues, particularly matters relating to security and the economy.
“At this point, the campaign season has just started. We have four, five months of serious campaigning; of course, governance will continue,” he added.
Dare further explained that the President would remain in contact with developments in Nigeria throughout his vacation.
He said Tinubu would continue receiving briefings from ministers, service chiefs and other officials responsible for critical decisions in the country.
The Presidency maintains that the President’s vacation would not prevent him from monitoring government affairs while away from Nigeria.
