•Tinubu jets out
A professor of political science at Nasarawa State University, Jideofor Adibe, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s foreign travels, saying the trips have taken a new dimension in recent years.
Adibe spoke in an interview on Channels Television last night, while reacting to the president’s ongoing three-day state visit to Türkiye.
“I think it’s been overdone. While I recognise the role of personal diplomacy, it should not extend to becoming a globetrotter,” Adibe said.
He argued that Nigeria’s diplomatic architecture already provides adequate mechanisms for international engagement, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and missions in Nigerian embassies.
“There is no reason a president should constantly be on the move. You have a Minister of Foreign Affairs and trade missions in various embassies. Many engagements can even be handled through video conferencing,” he said.
Adibe noted that although foreign travel by Nigerian presidents did not begin with Tinubu, the scale had increased significantly.
“It started with Obasanjo, Buhari also did it, but it has been taken to another level,” he said.
Wooing Investors
Adibie questioned the effectiveness of frequent trips in attracting foreign investment, arguing that capital is driven more by domestic conditions than physical presence.
“Capital smells opportunity. You do not need to travel to woo capital. Even in war-torn areas, capital moves in when opportunities exist.
“If the president, for example, had just travelled to Turkey as one of the few travels, it would not have generated concerns. But he’s constantly on the move. So whatever strategic importance this might be is diluted by the fact that he’s a frequent traveller,” Adibe said.
Adibe said that world leaders rarely travel abroad except for critical engagements, stressing that a president must be visibly rooted at home.
“Foreign policy flows from domestic policy. A leader must first show that he is comfortable being in his own country,” he said.
Turkiye Visit, Foreign Travels
President Tinubu is in Türkiye on an official state visit that began on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Since taking office in May 2023, President Tinubu has made more than 10 foreign trips aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and attracting foreign investment.
While the government says these trips are necessary to reposition Nigeria globally, critics argue that the trips, accompanied by an entourage, are excessive given the country’s current economic challenges.
Opposition like Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar have faulted the trips, citing the lack of immediate relief for inflation and domestic insecurity.
Some of Tinubu’s key foreign visits include China, Brazil, India, France, the United Kingdom, Qatar, and, most recently, the United Arab Emirates.
The president has also visited countries like South Africa, Tanzania, and Saint Lucia and attended major events, including an African energy summit and the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
The president is accompanied by senior government officials, including the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.
Yesterday, he was formally received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, with a guard of honour and the playing of both national anthems.
During the reception parade, the president stumbled while approaching the guard of honour but was quickly assisted by security aides and continued the ceremony.
Presidential aides later confirmed that the incident was a mild misstep and that the president was in good health.
The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and Türkiye, with discussions focused on finance, investment, trade, security cooperation, and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding in sectors including energy, education, research, and social welfare.
