Manny Ita –
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing a sharp uptick in domestic criticism over his frequent travels to Europe, with political analysts and columnists sardonically labeling him the “Nigerian Ambassador to France.” The critique followed the President’s return to Abuja in early 2026 after a prolonged end-of-year holiday in Paris and a subsequent summit in Abu Dhabi. Public commentators have noted with irony that the President’s frequent presence in the French capital contrasts sharply with his perceived “dogged silence” on pressing domestic issues, including a controversial Christmas Day airstrike in Sokoto and the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. One widely circulated headline recently announced that the “Nigerian Ambassador to France pays his first official visit to Nigeria in 2026,” reflecting a growing public perception of the President as an “absentee landlord.”
In response to the backlash, the Presidency and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have vigorously defended the international engagements as essential diplomatic missions. APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, stated on Tuesday that the President’s visits are “purposeful actions that have strengthened Nigeria’s global partnerships and attracted significant foreign investments.” According to the ruling party, these missions have secured over $50 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitments since 2023, spanning sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and technology. Yilwatda emphasized that “Mr. President’s engagements with strategic global partners underscore his unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s economic interests,” arguing that the benefits of these trips far outweigh the costs.
However, opposition figures and civil society groups remain unconvinced, characterizing the frequent trips as a “misplaced priority” amidst worsening security and economic turmoil. Critics have pointed out that the President has visited France at least six times since taking office, often for “working visits” or “private retreats” that coincide with national tragedies. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and spokespersons for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have labeled the spending on foreign travel—estimated at over ₦34 billion in two years—as wasteful. “Tinubu is away while Nigeria burns—daily killings, attacks, and loss of territories,” one opposition leader remarked, suggesting that the President’s reliance on “digital leadership” from abroad is an inadequate substitute for a physical presence during times of national crisis.
