President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed for Paris, France, on a private visit, according to his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
From there, the president will head to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the African Union Summit, where he will join other African leaders for the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State, scheduled for February 12-16, 2025.
During his visit to France, President Tinubu is expected to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.
However, the president’s foreign trips have been under scrutiny due to the country’s economic hardship, with many Nigerians questioning the size of his entourage and the benefits of such trips to the nation.
It’s worth noting that the 2025 budget has allocated N9.36 billion for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s local and foreign travels, as well as refreshments. This has sparked concerns among Nigerians, who are struggling to make ends meet amidst the economic challenges facing the country.