President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s domestic and international travel-related expenses have reportedly reached N37.64 billion in three years, according to an analysis of government expenditure records.
The figures, compiled from records tracked by accountability platform GovSpend, cover presidential trips and related expenses between June 2023 and April 2026.
The disclosure comes as Tinubu embarks on another three-week vacation in Europe, with London, United Kingdom, as his first destination.
The President departed Abuja on Sunday, shortly after Vice President Kashim Shettima returned from a two-week vacation.
Available travel records and flight data analysed by Daily Trust indicate that Tinubu has made 51 foreign trips, visited at least 30 countries and spent approximately 261 days outside Nigeria since assuming office in May 2023.
His latest journey takes the total number of foreign trips to 52.
2024 Recorded Highest Spending
GovSpend records show that the Presidency spent about N9.19 billion on travel-related expenses in the second half of 2023.
The figure jumped to N25.27 billion in 2024, before falling to approximately N2.71 billion in 2025.
Between January and April 2026, the Presidency recorded another N477.45 million in travel-related expenditure.
The 2024 spending was the highest during the period reviewed and was largely linked to foreign exchange allocations and funding for the Presidential Air Fleet.
Some of the transactions recorded shortly after Tinubu took office included payments for presidential trips, foreign exchange and aircraft-related expenses.
Tinubu’s Frequent International Travels
Since becoming President, Tinubu has travelled to numerous countries for official engagements, including summits, state visits, bilateral meetings and investment-related activities.
France has reportedly been among his most frequent destinations, followed by London and the United Arab Emirates.
His 2023 itinerary included visits to France, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, India, the UAE, the United States, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
In subsequent years, his international engagements took him to countries including China, Japan, Brazil, Vatican City, Saint Lucia, Türkiye, Kenya and Rwanda.
N700m First Lady Travel Spending Also Emerges
The expenditure records also revealed that foreign exchange worth approximately N700.71 million was released for overseas trips involving First Lady Oluremi Tinubu between 2023 and 2024.
The records put the total foreign exchange purchased for five recorded destinations at $553,884.
The trips were linked to destinations including the United States, Mozambique, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom and France.
However, the records do not provide details on the purpose of each trip, the length of the visits, the size of the delegations or the total cost beyond the foreign exchange component.
The disclosure has raised questions about public expenditure linked to the First Lady’s activities, particularly because the Office of the First Lady is not formally established as a constitutional office.
Ayo Ologun, President and Convener of the Transparency and Accountability Group, called for an investigation into the spending and questioned the legal basis for using public funds for such activities.
Atiku Questions Tinubu’s Timing
The latest presidential vacation has also triggered criticism from former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku questioned the decision to embark on a three-week European trip while Nigerians continue to grapple with rising living costs, high transport fares, petrol prices and insecurity.
He argued that the issue was not whether a President should travel or take time off, but whether the timing was appropriate given the challenges facing the country.
Atiku also noted that Vice President Kashim Shettima was outside Nigeria on official duties, arguing that Tinubu’s absence raised concerns about political leadership.
Presidency: Tinubu Needs to ‘Refuel’
The Presidency has defended Tinubu’s vacation, describing it as well deserved after months of intensive government work.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, said Tinubu had spent months dealing with major economic, security and governance issues.
Dare said the President also needed to recharge ahead of the lengthy political campaign season leading to the 2027 elections.
He stressed that Tinubu would remain involved in governance while abroad, receiving regular briefings from ministers, service chiefs and other officials.
With the cost and frequency of presidential travel now attracting renewed scrutiny, the debate is likely to continue over whether the government’s foreign trips provide sufficient value to Nigerians to justify their substantial cost.
