Nigeria’s Federal Government Spends ₦1.99bn On Foreign Trips Amid Economic Hardship

Presidency, MDAs Face Scrutiny Over Rising Travel Expenses

Abuja – Despite Nigeria’s struggling economy, the Federal Government, including the Presidency, has reportedly spent at least ₦1.99 billion on foreign trips, training, and estacodes in France between May 2023 and September 2024, according to findings from BudgIT’s GovSpend platform. The spending covers airfare, hotel accommodations, visa processing, training programs, and business meetings, raising concerns about government expenditure and the rising cost of governance.

NBC Poised For Regulatory Shake-Up In Nigeria’s Pay-TV Industry

One of the most significant single expenditures was ₦626.91 million, paid by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta for the training and type rating of 35 cadet pilots in South Africa, France, and Nigeria. The funds were transferred from the GIFMIS platform to the PAP Naira Transit Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Similarly, the State House recorded heavy spending on foreign trips, including ₦149.79 million for First Lady Remi Tinubu’s trip to France on April 1, 2024. In March 2024, ₦6.29 million was allocated for the processing of a five-year multiple-entry visa for Vice President Kashim Shettima.

High Expenditures by Ministries, Agencies, and Parastatals

Several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) also incurred significant costs on foreign travel:

• National Merit Award – Spent ₦15.5 million on course fees for eight participants attending a training in Paris from May 14 to 20, 2023.
• Centre for Management Development – Spent ₦34.3 million for six officials, each receiving ₦5.71 million, to attend training in France.
• Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) – Funded Director-General Adamu Jummai’s trip for an executive program in Paris.
• Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) – Spent ₦41.09 million on multiple officials, including Technical Adviser Temitope Yoosuf, for meetings with Airbus in Toulouse, France.
• Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) – Spent ₦124.45 million on flights for Super Falcons players traveling between America, France, Spain, and Nigeria for their Olympic qualifiers.
• Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) – Paid ₦10.62 million for airfare for three officials attending the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting in Paris.
• Fiscal Responsibility Commission – Spent ₦7.90 million for an official’s participation in the 2023 International Bar Association Conference in France.
• Federal Ministry of Health – Paid ₦5.30 million each for David Beine Atuwo and Olusola Ayoola to attend the 11th EDCTP Forum in France.
• Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) – Made two significant payments, ₦574.52 million, for the salaries of two seconded staff of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) at Interpol in France and Egmont Group in Canada.

Presidency’s High Travel Expenditure Draws Criticism

These revelations come amid reports that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has spent over ₦8.64 billion on local and foreign travels between June 2023 and March 2024.

• In his first six months (June-December 2023), the State House spent ₦3.4 billion on Tinubu’s trips.
• In the first quarter of 2024, ₦5.24 billion was spent on travel for Tinubu, Shettima, and Remi Tinubu.
• ₦1.35 billion was allocated for presidential trips and related expenses from January to March 2024.
• ₦3.53 billion was spent on foreign currency purchases for 10 international trips.
• ₦637.85 million was paid to two travel agencies for flight bookings.

The opposition parties have criticized Tinubu’s frequent travels, accusing him of prioritizing international trips over pressing domestic issues. However, the Presidency has defended the expenses, arguing that these trips are essential for attracting foreign investments.

Minister Defends President’s Frequent Travels

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, recently defended Tinubu’s foreign trips, insisting that their benefits outweigh the costs.

“Nigeria has the money. How much does traveling cost compared to the benefits? Again, how much does it cost really when you compare it to some of the things that the President has already addressed?” he said.

He further argued that past administrations wasted funds on fuel, electricity, and other subsidies, rather than investing in economic production.

Tinubu’s Extensive International Trips

In the past 21 months, Tinubu has embarked on 32 foreign trips, visiting 19 countries, including:

• Paris, France
• London, UK
• New York, USA
• Berlin, Germany
• Dubai, UAE
• New Delhi, India
• Doha, Qatar
• Accra, Ghana
• Pretoria, South Africa
• Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Ethiopia, Senegal, Benin Republic, and others

Public Concerns Over Rising Government Spending

With inflation, fiscal deficits, and a weakening naira, many Nigerians have called for greater transparency and accountability in public spending. The high cost of governance remains a significant concern, as the government continues to borrow billions to fund its budget while still spending lavishly on foreign travel.

Analysts argue that reducing unnecessary expenditures could free up funds for critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. However, the government maintains that these trips are crucial for Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic engagements.

What’s Next?

As public scrutiny intensifies, pressure is mounting on the National Assembly, anti-corruption agencies, and civil society organizations to ensure fiscal responsibility in government spending. Whether the federal government will respond by cutting down foreign travel expenses or continue with business as usual remains to be seen.

For now, Nigerians will continue to demand accountability, transparency, and prudent management of the country’s finances.