The administration of President Bola Tinubu has once again urged Nigerians to endure economic hardship, insisting that sacrifices are necessary for national progress. However, this appeal comes against the backdrop of shocking revelations that the government has spent a staggering N83 billion on both local and international trips within just one year.
Despite the deepening economic crisis, the Tinubu government continues to justify its policies, arguing that long-term economic stability requires patience and endurance. The Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, made this argument during his appearance on AIT’s State of the Economy programme, monitored by SaharaReporters.
Defending the administration’s approach, Fasua insisted that economic transformation demands long-term commitment to policies that promote local production and self-sufficiency.
“For a country like Nigeria to actually get to where it wants to get to, there is a bit of pain that you have to endure,” Fasua stated.
He argued that major economic reforms, like those in the petroleum sector, require years of perseverance and policy consistency before yielding results.
“We are always good at starting a policy very quickly, but can we concentrate or stick with a policy and programme for five, ten, or fifteen years?” he asked.
He further stated that stabilizing the naira between N1,300 and N1,400 per dollar for the next three to five years would signal economic commitment to the international community.
While the government preaches endurance, many Nigerians are outraged by the lavish spending on foreign and local trips, which they believe contradicts the call for sacrifice.
Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima, the First Lady, and several ministers, have embarked on dozens of foreign trips, costing the nation billions.
One of the most controversial instances was the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024, where Nigeria reportedly had the largest delegation—over 1,000 people—many of whom had no clear role at the event. While some attendees claimed to be self-sponsored, the size of the official government delegation raised serious concerns about financial prudence.
According to reports, Tinubu, his wife, and Shettima have collectively visited 26 countries and embarked on 41 trips within a year. The president alone recorded 29 trips to 18 countries, while Shettima made 12 trips to 10 nations.
In total, they have spent nearly half a year abroad, with Tinubu himself out of the country for 124 days.
A Breakdown of the N83 Billion Travel Expenses
The Open Treasury Portal reveals that in 2024 alone, the Tinubu administration spent:
N36 billion on international travel
N12.2 billion for “international travel and transport (training)”
N24.19 billion for “international travel, transport, and others”
N15.8 billion for “local travel and transport (training)”
N31.2 billion for “local travel and transport (others)”
Despite these enormous expenses, many Nigerians argue that the foreign trips have yielded little to no tangible benefits, as the economy continues to struggle with rising inflation, a depreciating naira, and widespread hardship.
The contradiction between the government’s plea for sacrifice and its exorbitant spending habits has fueled growing frustration among citizens. Many critics argue that rather than tightening its own belt, the Tinubu administration appears to be indulging in luxury while the masses suffer.
With Nigerians grappling with record-high cost of living, fuel price hikes, and job losses, the government’s extravagant travel budget raises pressing questions:
Is the administration truly committed to economic recovery, or is it merely asking citizens to suffer while it enjoys lavish privileges?
Are these trips bringing any real investment or progress, or are they political tourism at the nation’s expense?
As the hardship deepens, public outrage continues to mount, with many demanding greater accountability for how the government spends taxpayers’ money. Will Tinubu’s administration match its rhetoric of sacrifice with real financial discipline? Only time will tell.
PIONEER NEWS 