Tinubu spent N2.3 billion on foreign trips within 6 months – Report
The Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, has spent ₦2.3 billion on foreign trips and related expenses within six months, according to data from GovSpend, a portal tracking Presidential Villa expenditures.
This figure reflects the costs associated with presidential travel between February 21 and July 19 of this year.
The State House Headquarters in Abuja recorded payments for presidential trips during this period, beginning with ₦300 million on February 21, 2024, for January’s expenses.
“On February 24, the State House also made a ₦250 million payment for presidential trips and related expenses. And on March 15, ₦42,379,100 was paid for presidential trips and related expenses.
“On March 15, ₦9,484,310 was paid for presidential trips and related expenses. On the same date, ₦25,393,490 and ₦34,185,400 were also paid for the same purpose,” the data revealed.
Additionally, the government spent over ₦2.9 billion between February 24 and March 15, 2024, on purchasing foreign exchange to fund trips by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and First Lady Remi Tinubu.
These trips included visits to Dubai, Ethiopia, Switzerland, Liberia, France, and Côte d’Ivoire, with substantial sums used to acquire U.S. dollars for these journeys.
For instance, on February 24, ₦750 million was used to purchase $1,271,997 for the President’s trip to Dubai, while ₦1.04 billion was allocated to secure $692,265 for his visit to Ethiopia.
The Vice President and First Lady also incurred costs for their trips, including ₦426.88 million for a visit to Switzerland and ₦149.79 million for the First Lady’s trip to France.
These expenditures have drawn sharp criticism, particularly as they coincide with severe economic hardship in Nigeria.
Earlier in the month, Nigerians staged a 10-day nationwide protest, calling for an end to bad governance.
The severe hardship was triggered by certain policies of the President Tinubu-led administration, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy, which was announced on May 29, 2023.
President Tinubu recently urged Nigerians to endure the difficulties caused by the economic reforms, stating that these measures are necessary to place the country on solid economic footing.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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