Tinubu Heads to Paris Amid Controversy Surrounding Frequent Foreign Trips

President Bola Tinubu has departed the United Kingdom for Paris, France, for what has been described as an “important engagement.” The trip was confirmed by Ibrahim Masari, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Political and Other Matters, via his verified X handle on Friday. “Today, I had the honour of visiting President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu GCFR at his private residence in the United Kingdom, where we engaged in productive discussions. We then departed for Paris, France, for another important engagement,” Masari disclosed. However, further details about the engagement in Paris were not provided.

This trip comes shortly after Tinubu began a two-week working vacation in the United Kingdom on October 2 as part of his annual leave. According to Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, “He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.” Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria once his leave expires.

Since assuming office 17 months ago, Tinubu has made 28 foreign trips, with France being his latest destination. His foreign engagements have included visits to Equatorial Guinea, London (four times), Guinea-Bissau (twice), Kenya, Benin Republic, South Africa, Ghana, India, the UAE, the U.S., Saudi Arabia (twice), Germany, Ethiopia, Senegal, and Qatar.