President Tinubu Spends 22 Days Abroad in January 2026

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spent 22 days outside Nigeria in January 2026, according to an analysis of his formally announced international trips.

During this time, the president traveled to France, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.

The president's travel schedule has attracted criticism from civil society organizations and opposition parties, who argue that such an extended absence highlights misplaced priorities, particularly as the country grapples with significant domestic challenges.

Critics characterized the president's long stays abroad as excessive and detrimental, claiming these trips distract from critical domestic issues including insecurity, education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

They also expressed concerns that many agreements signed during these international trips have yet to yield concrete benefits for the Nigerian populace.

In defense of the trips, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), called Tinubu’s journeys a necessary sacrifice for national interests.

On January 31, 2026, President Tinubu returned to Abuja after a six-day official visit to Turkey, following a ten-day stay in Paris that began the year. Following a visit to Abu Dhabi to attend the prestigious Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit on January 11, the president returned to Nigeria briefly before departing for Turkey on January 26.

At the Abu Dhabi summit, Nigeria and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which involves the elimination of tariffs on over 7,000 products for Nigerian exporters, primarily in agriculture and industry.

During his state visit to Turkey, further agreements were established covering various sectors, including diaspora policy, defense cooperation, and higher education.

In 2025, President Tinubu took ten international trips encompassing state visits, private vacations, summits, and diplomatic engagements.

His 2025 itinerary included attendance at the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama in Ghana, participation in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, and attending the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit in Ethiopia, among other engagements.

Critics from various quarters, including the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, have voiced concerns that Nigeria's socio- economic difficulties do not allow for a president who is frequently abroad.

Abdullahi stated that such behavior could create the impression of negligence towards pressing local issues, emphasizing the need for transparent communication from the presidency about those travels.

The PDP spokesman, Ini Ememobong, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that while the reasons behind these frequent excursions are undisclosed, the president should focus more on domestic affairs.

Professor Yilwatda countered by stating that Tinubu’s connections and experiences enable him to make significant strides for the country and argued that his international presence should not be taken lightly.

Moreover, calls for a reassessment of the costs and benefits of presidential travels have come from numerous civil society organizations, which demand that Nigerian leadership maintains a strong and visible presence domestically to tackle various pressing challenges.

Critics have pointed out that an ongoing focus on international engagements without clear results risks appearing wasteful and undemocratic.

Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, criticized President Tinubu’s January travel, suggesting it reflects a lack of concern for the challenges facing the nation. He noted the alarming rise in insecurity during the month, along with significant issues in education and basic amenities.

Such sentiments and reactions highlight a growing concern about the ongoing societal challenges in Nigeria amidst the president's extended international engagements.