Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, in a discussion on Channels Television’s Politics Today, explained why President Bola Tinubu’s frequent international travels are necessary, noting that the benefits outweigh the concerns.
Tuggar asserted that Tinubu, inaugurated in 2023, is still in the early stages of his presidency and must continue building strategic relationships with global leaders.
Addressing criticisms of the president’s numerous foreign trips, Tuggar argued that international engagement is a critical part of governance, especially for a new administration.
He said, “It is not a fair assessment. The administration is still new because the President was sworn in in 2023. In global terms, he is still a new president. He needs to interact with his colleagues and fellow heads of state to be able to establish relationships.
“You can also see the fruits of these trips and their benefits. So you travelled once and got $2b (worth) of investments like he did in Brazil. In fact, I would venture to say we are not travelling enough. We should do more.”
When challenged on the financial strain these travels might place on Nigeria, Tuggar dismissed the concern, explaining that the country has adequate resources to support such endeavors.
He argued that the costs of the trips are minimal when compared to the long-term benefits they bring.
“Nigeria has the money. How much does travelling cost compared to the benefits? Again, how much does it cost really when you compare it to some of the things that the President has already addressed?
“How much have we wasted on fuel, electricity and other subsidies? He was subsidising consumption instead of production and subsidising the real sector of the economy,” he added.
Since taking office, Tinubu has visited 19 countries on 32 foreign trips, including France, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, Saudi Arabia, India, and South Africa. Tuggar believes these engagements are paving the way for stronger international partnerships and economic growth.
