With President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima spending a combined 344 days abroad since 2023, Nigerians are sharply divided over whether the trips are boosting investment or distracting from pressing problems at home.
Three years into the Tinubu administration, one number is grabbing attention: 344.
That’s the combined number of days President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have spent outside Nigeria since taking office in May 2023, according to an analysis of official trips and travel records.
The figures are eye-catching. Tinubu alone logged about 261 days abroad across more than 50 trips to 30 countries, while Shettima spent roughly 83 days overseas on 24 trips spanning 17 countries. Together, they visited 37 countries and racked up hundreds of flight hours.
For supporters of the administration, the travel schedule reflects active diplomacy. The Presidency argues that the trips have helped restore investor confidence, attract billions of dollars in investment commitments and reposition Nigeria on the global stage. Officials point to renewed interest from international oil companies, stronger diplomatic ties and improved perceptions of Nigeria among foreign investors.
Critics, however, see a different picture.
With inflation squeezing households, insecurity lingering across parts of the country and living costs remaining high, opponents question whether so much time abroad sends the right message. Labour Party leader Peter Obi and other critics argue that leadership requires a visible presence at home, especially during difficult times.
The debate isn’t really about passports and boarding passes. It’s about results.
Political analysts say international engagement is a vital part of modern governance, but Nigerians ultimately want evidence that the trips are improving their lives. Are investments creating jobs? Are new partnerships translating into better infrastructure? Are ordinary citizens feeling the benefits?
As Tinubu’s third anniversary passes, the Presidency insists the answer is yes. Many Nigerians, however, are still waiting to see those gains reflected in their daily reality.
And that, more than the travel statistics themselves, is where the real debate begins.
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