The presidency has allocated a staggering N7 billion for President Bola Tinubu’s local and international travels in 2025, sparking concerns among Nigerians about the prioritization of the country’s limited resources.
According to the 2025 approved budget, N6.1 billion has been set aside for international travel, while N873 million has been allocated for local travel.
Vice President Kashim Shettima’s travel budget is also substantial, with N1.314 billion allocated for international travel and N417.488 million for local travel.
The allocation has raised eyebrows among Nigerians, who are struggling with economic hardships.
Critics argue that the large travel budget is a misallocation of resources, which could have been better spent on critical areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.
The Tinubu-led presidency has defended the foreign trips, stating that they have had a positive impact on Nigeria’s economy. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, cited an example where President Tinubu secured $2 million in investments during a visit to Brazil.
However, the opposition has questioned the necessity of such expensive travels, especially given the country’s economic challenges.
In 2024, the presidency spent a whopping N36 billion on international travel, according to data from the Open Treasury Portal.
