Between May and September 2023, the Nigerian government spent substantial sums totaling over N1.7 billion on foreign currencies—specifically $4.4 million and €1.2 million—for the foreign trips of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Bola Tinubu, and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. This information, sourced from GovSpend.ng, a platform managed by BudgIT Foundation, highlights significant expenditures during a period marked by economic challenges and public scrutiny over resource management.The breakdown reveals that President Buhari’s trips, including one to Ghana, incurred costs such as $176,392.80 and $315,300. Notably, a large expenditure of $4 million was recorded for a single trip, alongside another substantial expense of €1.2 million for a separate journey in September 2023. Similarly, the Vice President’s travels included a transaction of N58,658,364 for one million British Pounds, although discrepancies in currency symbols require clarification regarding the exact amounts spent.Further scrutiny focuses on the First Lady’s travels under the Tinubu administration, which amounted to N473 million for trips to the United Kingdom, Mozambique, and Ethiopia. For instance, her visit to London in March 2024 cost N126.295 million (equivalent to $83,967), while trips to Addis Ababa and Mozambique incurred expenses of N144.571 million and N202.386 million respectively.These expenditures have raised concerns regarding fiscal prudence and transparency in a country grappling with financial constraints and demands for increased minimum wages. The government’s inability to release quarterly budget performance reports under the Tinubu administration has been flagged as a legal violation, denying citizens access to crucial information on financial management.The revelations underscore broader issues regarding budget transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s governance framework. As the government contends with revenue challenges, these lavish expenditures on international trips have drawn criticism, particularly amidst ongoing economic disparities and contentious public sector wage negotiations.In conclusion, the scrutiny of government spending on foreign trips reflects broader concerns over fiscal responsibility and equitable resource allocation in Nigeria. The calls for improved transparency and efficiency in financial management are pivotal in ensuring prudent use of public funds and fostering public trust in governmental stewardship.
