The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, defended President Bola Tinubu’s frequent trips abroad on Sunday, asserting that these journeys are essential for strengthening Nigeria’s global ties and attracting investments.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Tuggar emphasized that it is typical for a new leader to seek opportunities for collaboration with international counterparts.
Tuggar argued that the benefits gained from these travels outweigh the costs, citing a previous trip to Brazil that resulted in $2 billion in investments.
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.”
Despite concerns regarding the financial implications of such frequent trips, Tuggar dismissed these worries, claiming that Nigeria has the resources to support them. He highlighted that the costs of travel are minimal compared to the potential economic advantages.
“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 in May 2023, President Tinubu has embarked on 32 foreign trips to 19 countries, including multiple visits to France and the United Kingdom. As discussions continue about the effectiveness of these international engagements, Tuggar maintains that they are crucial for Nigeria’s development and diplomatic relations.
