Tinubu’s Growing Overseas Itinerary Raises Questions About Leadership and National Progress

 

Nigerian President’s Growing Overseas Itinerary Raises Questions About Leadership and National Progress

Since the beginning of his presidency, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, widely known as PBAT, has faced mounting scrutiny over his frequent trips abroad, particularly to France. While many world leaders engage in diplomatic travel for international relations, Tinubu’s overseas schedule has taken on a more personal tone, with frequent visits that have raised eyebrows both within Nigeria and beyond. The president’s foreign travel schedule, marked by multiple trips to France, is becoming a topic of concern, as Nigerians question the priorities of their leader in the face of ongoing national challenges.

Bola Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, has reportedly made at least six trips to France within a span of less than two years. These journeys have raised questions not only about the necessity of his travels but also about the implications for governance in a country that is still grappling with critical developmental issues. The frequency of these trips has ignited debates over whether the president is effectively fulfilling his duties or if he has instead taken a more remote approach to leadership.

Here’s a brief look at the timeline of Tinubu’s travels to France:

• 20 June 2023: Tinubu’s first visit to France as president, a mere month after his inauguration.

• 24 January 2024: The president made his second trip to France.

• 19 August 2024: His third journey to the European country.

• 27 November 2024: Tinubu’s fourth trip to France within the first year of his presidency.

• 6 February 2025: His fifth visit to France.

• 2 April 2025: The most recent journey, marking the sixth time the president has traveled to France in less than two years.

These trips have raised eyebrows not only due to their frequency but also due to the lack of transparency regarding the nature of these visits. While some have speculated that the trips are related to personal health concerns or private business matters, others have questioned whether they are part of a broader pattern of disengagement from the pressing matters at home.

One of the key criticisms leveled against Tinubu is his failure to build a world-class tertiary hospital in Nigeria despite his significant influence in the country’s commercial capital, Lagos. Tinubu, often credited with transforming Lagos into a bustling economic hub, has notably neglected to address the lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria—particularly the absence of a modern hospital that could cater to the medical needs of the country’s elite. This has fueled accusations of hypocrisy, as the president has been seen seeking medical treatment abroad rather than addressing healthcare deficiencies within the nation.

For many Nigerians, Tinubu’s repeated trips to France have highlighted a significant gap in his leadership priorities. While the country struggles with issues ranging from security concerns to economic instability, the president’s foreign travel seems to be a diversion from the very real challenges at home. Critics argue that such frequent absences convey a sense of detachment from the people he was elected to serve, further deepening the divide between the ruling class and ordinary Nigerians.

The timing of these trips is also noteworthy. Several of Tinubu’s visits coincided with key moments in Nigeria’s political calendar, raising questions about whether the president’s presence in the country would have been more beneficial. In a nation facing urgent calls for economic reforms and infrastructural development, Nigerians are wondering why their president feels the need to work remotely from Europe rather than being present to address the country’s challenges firsthand.

A particularly sensitive issue is the state of healthcare in Nigeria. Despite Tinubu’s reputation as a builder and political strategist, critics point out that he has not taken the necessary steps to ensure that Nigeria’s healthcare system meets international standards. The lack of a world-class tertiary hospital in Lagos, where Tinubu has had considerable influence, is seen as a glaring oversight. Nigerians question why, as a prominent leader, Tinubu has opted for medical treatments abroad when he could have invested in state-of-the-art facilities to meet his own medical needs—and those of the Nigerian people.

In addition to healthcare, Nigeria faces numerous other challenges, including a growing youth unemployment rate, deteriorating infrastructure, and inadequate social services. Yet, the president’s repeated foreign trips suggest a lack of commitment to resolving these issues at home. While it is common for leaders to travel abroad for diplomatic purposes, the frequency and nature of Tinubu’s visits have given rise to concerns about whether the president is neglecting his duties and whether his leadership approach is compatible with Nigeria’s development needs.

As Tinubu continues to jet off to France, many Nigerians are left questioning the future of their nation. With the country’s pressing issues mounting and no clear sign that the president is committed to tackling them head-on, the growing trend of remote governance is sparking a conversation about leadership accountability and national progress.

Ultimately, the repeated international travels of President Bola Tinubu serve as a powerful reminder of the need for Nigerian leaders to remain grounded in their responsibilities, especially when the country is in such dire need of transformative change. The people of Nigeria, many of whom face significant hardships, are left to wonder whether their president’s frequent foreign sojourns will ever yield the kind of leadership the country desperately needs.

As the president’s time in office continues, it remains to be seen whether his pattern of overseas travel will change or if it will persist as a hallmark of his administration.