Tinubu-led State House Spent N36Billion On International Travels In 2024.
total, the State House headquarters spent N36.3 billion on international travel during the 2024 fiscal year.
A review of data from the Open Treasury Portal by SaharaReporters has revealed that the Bola Tinubu-led presidency spent N36 billion on international travel in 2024.
According to the State House Headquarters expenditure breakdown, N12.2 billion was allocated to “international travel and transport (training),” while N24.19 billion was spent on “international travel and transport (others).”
In total, the State House headquarters spent N36.3 billion on international travel during the 2024 fiscal year.
Additionally, local travel and transport costs were substantial, with N15.8 billion spent on “local travel and transport (training)” and N31.2 billion on “local travel and transport (others).” Altogether, the combined total for both local and international travel amounted to N83 billion, according to the Open Treasury Portal data.
The high cost of travel by the presidency has raised concerns, especially amid claims of financial constraints in Nigeria.
Peter Obi, a prominent figure from the opposition party, recently voiced concerns about the frequency of trips taken by the President.
SaharaReporters also reported that the overhaul of the presidential aircraft’s engines is expected to cost the country N8.6 billion in 2025.
Amid growing concerns about the expenditure incurred due to travels by the Presidency, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, defended the Presidency’s foreign trips, insisting that President Tinubu should embark on even more international travels.
Speaking during a recent live broadcast on Channels TV, monitored by SaharaReporters, Ambassador Tuggar emphasised that the country has sufficient funds to support additional travels for the President and his cabinet members.
The minister highlighted the positive impact of President Tinubu’s previous foreign trips, noting that they have significantly benefited Nigeria’s economy.
He pointed to a particular instance where President Tinubu secured $2 million in investments during a visit to Brazil, emphasising that this investment, aimed at developing the livestock sector, is crucial in addressing challenges such as the herders-farmers crisis.
He remarked, “Other countries are chasing after these investments, but President Tinubu was able to secure them for Nigeria.”
He further argued that the benefits of these international travels far outweigh the costs, saying, “I would rather say we are not travelling enough; we should do more. Nigeria has the money. How much does travelling cost compared to the benefits?”
