Legal practitioner and political analyst Liborous Oshoma has publicly advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce his frequent foreign trips and prioritize addressing Nigeria’s pressing domestic challenges. Since his inauguration, President Tinubu has embarked on at least 46 international trips, spending a total of around 192 days abroad in 2025 alone, stirring national debate over the balance between international engagements and domestic governance.
Oshoma’s comments come amid growing criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups who argue that Tinubu’s extensive travels distract from urgent issues such as economic hardship, widespread insecurity, and infrastructural decay affecting millions of Nigerians. While supporters say these trips are essential for promoting Nigeria’s global image and attracting investment, critics view them as excessive and costly, questioning the tangible benefits.
“When President Tinubu was governor of Lagos State, he was called a globetrotter. Now, as president, the same description applies,” Oshoma noted. He urged the president to undertake more domestic tours and personally assess the realities Nigerians face, warning that reliance on aides and official statements distorts the true picture on the ground.
Opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have called the frequent foreign travels “insensitive” and “a misuse of taxpayers’ money,” especially given Nigeria’s deteriorating socioeconomic indicators, including a rising poverty rate and persistent violent deaths.
In response, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency defended Tinubu’s trips, emphasizing that governance continues seamlessly through modern communication tools during his absences. APC spokesperson Seye Oladejo stressed that “governance does not grind to a halt simply because a leader takes time to rest,” highlighting President Tinubu’s engagement with his teams while abroad.
Despite official defenses, the public and political commentators remain divided on the issue, with many calling for a clearer demonstration of the benefits derived from these foreign visits. The debate underscores Nigeria’s critical need to balance international diplomacy with focused attention on internal challenges as it navigates ongoing economic and security difficulties.