January 9, 2026 l Reporter: Johnson
ABUJA, Nigeria — A review of the 2026 federal budget has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s office is slated to spend N6.1 billion on international travel this year, intensifying ongoing public debate over executive expenditures amid mounting economic pressures across the country.
According to budget documents examined by Sahara Reporters, the sum appears under the “State House operations – President” segment and reflects allocations specifically earmarked for foreign trips in the 2026 fiscal cycle. The proposed travel outlay for Vice President Kashim Shettima is also notable, with an additional N1.3 billion assigned for his international engagements. Together, the presidency and vice-presidency are projected to spend about N7.4 billion on foreign travel alone.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, confirmed through a statement on social media that President Tinubu recently departed Lagos for Europe to complete an end-of-year break before attending the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit in the United Arab Emirates — an annual forum that gathers world leaders to discuss sustainable development. The Presidency described the trip as part of official duties meant to promote Nigeria’s global standing.
Local travel costs are also significant, with government records showing N873 million allocated for domestic presidential moves in 2026 under the same budget category. This demonstrates the breadth of travel-related expenditures within the executive branch.
Data from the Open Treasury Portal cited by Sahara Reporters indicates that similar spending in previous years has been substantial. In 2024, for example, the Tinubu administration’s presidency reportedly spent approximately N36.3 billion on international travel, with local travel expenses adding to the overall travel bill underscoring a pattern of high executive mobility and associated costs.
Critics argue that such allocations are out of step with Nigeria’s economic realities, where inflation, unemployment, and poverty rates remain persistent challenges. Political figures like Peter Obi, an opposition leader, have previously criticised the frequency and cost of presidential international trips, describing them as excessive amid pressing domestic needs.
Defenders of the expenditure, including officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contend that President Tinubu’s foreign engagements are strategic, facilitating diplomatic relations and attracting foreign investment. Supporters of this position note that international travel can generate economic opportunities through trade deals and investment pledges a claim buttressed by reports that previous trips have culminated in substantial investment commitments, though the detailed economic impact remains a subject of debate.
As budgetary discussions unfold in Abuja and across Nigeria’s political landscape, the 2026 travel allocations are poised to remain a focal point of public scrutiny and legislative debate, particularly as citizens and civil society organisations call for greater transparency and fiscal discipline in government spending.