Tinubu, Shettima spend billions on local, foreign trips amid economic hardship
Despite urging Nigerians to endure economic challenges, President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have reportedly received N1.7 billion each as honorariums in 2024 alone, according to data from GovSpend, a government expenditure tracking portal.
The amount paid as honorariums could cover the monthly wages of 22,283 civil servants based on Nigeria’s minimum wage of N77,000.
Additionally, Tinubu, Shettima, and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu have spent a staggering N6.8 billion on foreign trips and related expenses this year, as documented by The ICIR on October 11, 2024. These expenses were incurred amid widespread economic frustration caused by policies such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification.
In August, nationwide protests under the banner #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria erupted due to rising hunger and inflation. While initially peaceful, the demonstrations turned violent, resulting in casualties and destruction of property. Protesters demanded the reinstatement of fuel subsidies, a reduction in petrol prices, lower electricity tariffs, and a rollback of import duties.
Despite Tinubu’s appeals for citizens to bear the economic reforms as sacrifices necessary for national recovery, government spending has continued unabated.
Honorariums paid to Tinubu include N200 million and N50 million in February 2024, N300 million in March, and several other substantial payments later in the year. Vice President Shettima also received N100 million in February 2024. Collectively, the presidency allocated N600 million in March alone to a transit account for presidential honorariums.
Foreign travel expenses have been equally extravagant. N300 million was spent on trips in January 2024, followed by N250 million in February. By mid-March, over N2.9 billion was used to fund foreign exchange for visits to Dubai, Ethiopia, Switzerland, Liberia, France, and Côte d’Ivoire.
READ ALSO :Tinubu orders 60% reduction in number of delegates for domestic, foreign trips
For example, Tinubu’s trip to Dubai cost N750 million, while N1.04 billion was allocated for his visit to Ethiopia. Vice President Shettima’s Switzerland trip incurred N426.88 million, and the First Lady’s visit to France cost N149.79 million.
The spending patterns have sparked criticism. Senior Program Officer at BudgIT Foundation, Ama Ekeheoveh, described these expenditures as contradictory to the government’s calls for prudence.
“It’s difficult to reconcile these expenditures with the sacrifices demanded from citizens. This lack of accountability fosters resentment and undermines public trust,” Ekeheoveh said.
She noted that such funds could have been redirected to critical sectors like food security, unemployment programs, or infrastructure development, which would yield long-term benefits for Nigerians.
Tinubu’s international engagements have been extensive since taking office. In his first year as president, he made 17 trips for official and unofficial purposes, participating in global summits and bilateral discussions. However, critics argue that the benefits of these trips remain unclear.
Ekeheoveh also questioned the constitutionality of expenditures by the First Lady’s office, noting that nearly three-quarters of a billion naira were spent on foreign trips in one year.
“At a time like this, leaders should demonstrate solidarity through action, not just words,” she added, calling on the National Assembly to ensure stricter oversight on government spending.
Nigerians continue to grapple with rising costs, unemployment, and economic hardship, viewing the presidency’s lavish spending as a stark disconnect from their daily struggles.
Written by Sakinat Musa Abubakar, Editor at Neptune Prime
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
