President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s frequent jet-setting has once again ignited a political firestorm, reopening an intense national debate over leadership priorities, governance style, and the true cost of diplomacy in a country battling deep economic and social pressures at home.
As Nigerians grapple with inflation, insecurity, and a rising cost of living, the President’s continuous presence abroad has become a lightning rod for criticism, with opposition figures accusing him of governing Nigeria from the skies while urgent domestic issues pile up.
A Trip To Turkiye
The latest stop on Tinubu’s growing travel map is Turkiye, where he is currently on an official visit aimed, according to the presidency, at strengthening bilateral cooperation and unlocking new economic opportunities.
However, critics argue that the optics are troubling, insisting that the President’s extended absences reinforce perceptions of a disconnected leadership at a time when Nigerians expect hands-on governance.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the presidency defended the trip, describing it as a strategic engagement designed to deepen collaboration between Nigeria and Turkiye in critical sectors such as security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation.
Diplomatic Momentum
Onanuga explained that the visit builds on the diplomatic momentum generated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Nigeria in October 2021, which strengthened ties between Abuja and Ankara.
According to the presidency, Tinubu’s itinerary in Turkiye includes high-level political and diplomatic talks centered on shared interests in finance, trade, investment, communication, and technology.
The visit will also feature closed-door meetings between senior officials from both countries, alongside the signing of multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) spanning scientific research, energy development, technical cooperation, media and communications, military collaboration, and diplomatic protocol.
Despite these assurances, opposition parties remain unconvinced.
They argue that while international partnerships are important, the President’s relentless overseas engagements suggest a troubling imbalance between foreign diplomacy and domestic leadership.
The Criticism
The criticism has only intensified as figures reveal that, as of January 2026, Tinubu has embarked on official visits cutting across five major global regions—Europe, Africa, the Middle East/West Asia, the Americas and Caribbean, and Asia—making him one of Nigeria’s most widely travelled leaders in recent history.
The presidency, however, has pushed back strongly, insisting that these trips are not luxuries but long-term investments aimed at attracting foreign capital, boosting trade, strengthening security partnerships, and repositioning Nigeria on the global stage.
Since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu has visited the following countries:
1. Turkiye
2. France
3. Germany
4. The Netherlands
5. United Kingdom
6. Vatican
7. Benin Republic
8. Chad
9. Ghana
10. Senegal
11. Guinea
12. Equatorial Guinea
13. Kenya
14. Ethiopia
15. South Africa
16. Tanzania
17. Saudi Arabia
18. Qatar
19. United Arab Emirates
20. Brazil
21. Saint Lucia 🇱🇨
22. United States of America
23. India
24. China
As the debate rages on, Nigerians remain sharply divided.
Supporters hail the travels as bold economic diplomacy, while critics see them as excessive, costly, and symbolic of a presidency more comfortable abroad than at home.
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One thing is certain: Tinubu’s passport has become almost as controversial as his policies, and every new trip adds fuel to an already raging political argument.