President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spent 22 days abroad in January 2026, visiting France, the UAE, and Türkiye, drawing criticism from opposition and civil society groups over the timing of his trips.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spent 22 days outside Nigeria in January 2026, according to a review of his officially announced foreign trips. During the period, he visited France, the United Arab Emirates, and the Republic of Türkiye, returning to Abuja on January 31 after a week-long state visit to Türkiye. The president’s trips began with a 10-day stay in Paris, followed by a visit to Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit on January 11.
The president’s foreign travels have drawn criticism from civil society groups and opposition political parties, who described the extended stays abroad as excessive. They argued that such trips reflect misplaced priorities at a time when Nigeria faces domestic challenges, alleging that the visits divert attention and resources away from critical sectors such as security, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Critics also claimed that many agreements signed during these trips have yet to deliver tangible benefits for Nigerians.
However, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, defended the president’s foreign engagements, describing them as sacrifices made in the national interest. Supporters argue that such trips are necessary to strengthen international partnerships and promote Nigeria’s interests abroad, despite the criticisms over the duration and timing of the visits.