President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing heavy backlash online after it emerged that he spent 23 days outside Nigeria in January 2026 alone, sparking heated debates over leadership priorities amid worsening hardship at home.
The President had left Nigeria on December 28, 2025, heading to Europe, and barely touched down all through January. His itinerary included nine days in France, seven days in Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week 2026, and six days in Turkey on a state visit — before finally returning home.
As Nigerians battle rising inflation, hunger, fuel price hikes, and relentless insecurity, many citizens say the frequent foreign trips feel more like luxury escapes than leadership duties.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi joined the criticism, noting that January — often a test month for governance — reflected a country sliding deeper into crisis while its leader remained largely absent.
Across social media and public forums, reactions poured in.
One commentator, Divine Akor, described the travel record as “outrageous,” questioning the value of economic diplomacy that produces no visible relief for citizens.
“If these trips are for investment, where are the investors? Where are the jobs? Where is the relief?” he asked, dismissing claims of diplomacy as “glorified excursions.”
Another citizen, Michael Ameh, accused the President of hypocrisy, arguing that it’s unfair to demand sacrifices from Nigerians while projecting comfort abroad.
“Leadership in crisis requires presence, empathy, and urgency — not prolonged absence,” he said, adding that Nigeria doesn’t need more foreign handshakes but decisive action at home.
Paul Igbashangev echoed similar concerns, saying the President appeared to be “jet-setting more than governing,” and questioned the billions allegedly spent on travel while citizens struggle to survive.
“Show us results,” he demanded. “Agreements are nice, but Nigerians can’t eat promises.”
However, not all reactions were negative.
Some Nigerians defended the President, arguing that foreign trips are a normal part of presidential duties. Augustine Oyiwona and Abdulkadir Hassan maintained that international engagements help secure investments, strengthen diplomatic ties, and boost Nigeria’s global standing.
Supporters pointed to agreements signed with Turkey, including defence cooperation, trade committees, and diaspora policy, as well as Nigeria’s participation in global sustainability talks in Abu Dhabi.
Still, even among defenders, a common condition remained: results must be felt at home.
For many Nigerians, the debate isn’t about travel — it’s about timing, frequency, cost, and impact.
As one comment summed it up:
“If Nigerians don’t feel the benefit, then it’s not diplomacy — it’s distance.”
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