President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has spent approximately 261 days outside Nigeria since assuming office on May 29, 2023, while expenditure records show that the Presidency spent ₦37.64 billion on presidential travels, logistics, foreign exchange and related expenses between June 2023 and April 2026.

The figures, contained in an analysis of GovSpend records, come as Tinubu embarked on another three-week vacation in Europe on Sunday, with London, United Kingdom, as his first destination. The latest trip brings the number of his foreign trips since assuming office to 52, according to the records cited.

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Presidency Travel Spending

GovSpend records show that presidential travel-related expenditure rose sharply in 2024, when the Presidency spent more than ₦25 billion.

The expenditure was recorded as follows:

• June–December 2023: ₦9.19 billion
• 2024: ₦25.27 billion
• 2025: ₦2.71 billion
• January–April 2026: ₦477.45 million
• Total: ₦37.64 billion

A substantial portion of the spending was linked to foreign exchange allocations, presidential trips and the operation of the Presidential Air Fleet.

Shortly after Tinubu assumed office, several payments were made for presidential trips and related expenses. In July 2023, for instance, the Presidential Air Fleet received hundreds of millions of naira in foreign exchange-related funding, while additional allocations were made in subsequent months.

By September 2023, four separate transactions of about ₦197.69 million each were reportedly processed, with each linked to a $1 million allocation for presidential trips.

Tinubu’s Foreign Travels Since 2023

Before his latest vacation, Tinubu had reportedly undertaken 51 foreign trips, visiting at least 30 countries and spending about 261 days abroad.

His international engagements have included diplomatic meetings, economic summits, bilateral discussions, investment forums, state visits and working vacations.

In 2023, Tinubu’s first foreign trip as President was to Paris, France, for the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact. He subsequently travelled to Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Benin Republic, India, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Germany and Saudi Arabia, among other destinations.

In 2024, his itinerary included France, Ethiopia, Qatar, Senegal, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Chad, South Africa, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, China and other countries.

His international engagements continued in 2025, including trips to Ghana, the UAE, Tanzania, France, Ethiopia, Vatican City, Saint Lucia, Brazil and Japan.

In 2026, Tinubu travelled to several countries, including France, the UAE, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, Kenya and Rwanda.

His Türkiye visit in January 2026 included meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the signing of nine agreements covering areas such as trade, energy, media and higher education.

In March, he travelled to the United Kingdom, where a £746 million deal to modernise the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports was reportedly signed.

In May, he visited France, Kenya and Rwanda, attending high-level international and economic engagements.

Presidency Defends Fresh Vacation

The Presidency has defended Tinubu’s latest three-week vacation, describing it as necessary after months of intense engagement with national issues.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said the President needed the break to “refuel” ahead of the expected increase in political activities as the 2027 elections approach.

“The President is proceeding on a well-deserved leave,” Dare said.

He explained that Tinubu had spent several months dealing with issues concerning the economy, security and other areas of governance.

Dare stressed that governance would continue despite the President’s absence from the country, saying Tinubu would remain in contact with ministers, service chiefs and other officials.

“He will receive briefings from his ministers, from the service chiefs as the case may be, and from every other person who is handling very key decisions in our country,” he said.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga had earlier disclosed that London would be Tinubu’s first destination and that the President would return to Nigeria after the vacation to participate in campaign activities ahead of the January 2027 presidential election.