The Nigerian Presidency has spent over N23 billion on international trips in 2024, marking a 23% increase from 2023, according to new data from GovSpend.
The expenditure covers trips undertaken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, raising fresh concerns over fiscal discipline at a time when millions of Nigerians face economic hardship.
A major highlight from the data revealed that President Tinubu’s trip to Dubai alone cost an astonishing $1.27 billion — a figure that has sparked controversy. Additionally, combined international travels by the Vice President and First Lady amounted to over N1.2 billion.
The Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) also received a budgetary allocation of N5.07 billion in the same period. Total air travel costs skyrocketed by 344%, reaching N7.83 billion, the highest in recent years.
Critics, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), have decried the rising travel expenses, calling them “extravagant and unjustifiable” amidst the country’s biting inflation, high unemployment, and widespread poverty.
“The government must explain how these lavish trips benefit ordinary Nigerians,” SERAP said in a statement, urging transparency and accountability.
The presidency is yet to issue an official response to the public outcry, even as citizens demand a full audit of all international engagements funded with public resources.