₦airaland Forum

Nigeria’s foreign missions are facing a deepening crisis, grappling with unpaid staff salaries, rent arrears, and crumbling infrastructure, even as President Bola Tinubu’s extensive overseas travels in 2025 have yet to deliver tangible relief.

The Federal Government recently acknowledged the scale of the problem. In a statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government admitted that budget shortfalls and foreign exchange policy changes had crippled the smooth operation of embassies and consulates.

“The ministry is not unaware of the restrictions that financial limitations have placed on the smooth running of the missions, including the inability to pay salaries of locally recruited staff, financial obligations to service providers, rent to landlords, and the foreign service allowance to home-based officers,” the statement read.

By official count, the president has undertaken at least 43 international journeys since May 2023, with 15 of them occurring this year alone across 11 countries. From Ghana to the Vatican, France to Brazil, Japan to Saint Lucia, Tinubu has appeared on global stages ranging from energy summits to trade forums and even papal inaugurations.

His most recent trip, a working vacation in France and the UK, has again stirred debate about whether his frequent travels are strengthening Nigeria’s foreign relations or merely papering over the cracks left by the absence of proper diplomatic representation.

Opposition voices have grown increasingly strident. Timothy Osadolor, Deputy Youth Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), described the president’s trips as “insensitive” and a misuse of taxpayers’ money, accusing him of prioritising medical tourism and personal convenience over the urgent needs of Nigerians.

Similarly, PDP’s Interim National Publicity Secretary Tony Akeni mocked the president’s penchant for leaving the country, warning that he appears “allergic to staying at home to tackle the nation’s problems.”

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, also added his voice to the growing chorus of criticism over President Bola Tinubu’s frequent foreign travels, arguing that such trips come at a time when Nigeria desperately needs decisive leadership at home to confront mounting challenges.

source: https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/president-tinubus-foreign-trips-offer-little-relief-for-nigerias-struggling-embassies/dxc3fvw

Whats the point travelling all over the world, only to come back, sit in your office and say YES SIR! to one demonic policy from the IMF

Just tell us the truth Mr President.

Visiting countries all over the world is in your to do list before you kick the bucket.

Keep travelling Sir, on your mandate of suffering, hardship insecurity poverty we all stand including your supporters on and off Nairaland

SarcasticWords:
Whats the point travelling all over the world, only to come back, sit in your office and say YES SIR! to one demonic policy from the IMF

Just tell us the truth Mr President.

Visiting countries all over the world is in your to do list before you kick the bucket.

Lmfao @ kick the bucket.But wait a minute that's true o

That man is on a serious mission to destroy and he will stop at nothing to achieve it

Tinubu is not ready to work.
After deceiving many SW voters that it the Turn of the Yoruba people, but mostof His people are Not benefiting from the democracy of APC

Presidents in functioning countries take vacations in their respective countries but our leaders travel to foreign countries for their vacation. This is embarrassing.

Failed leaders!!!.....only know how to loot and show federal strength on those who criticize them.

Yet they want to politicians salary by 114%.....God abeg save us from these people with no conscience. Let them know that every bad decision they take hammers 🔨 the ordinary man deeper into hunger and desolation. No relief any where just battered from all side . Gush !!!

If we talk unreasonable helinues will reply with famous quote "go back to your state". Same quote that Tinubu needs to hear the most

Our current president is a hardened criminal . His conscience is hardened by long period of snuffing that stuff. The man does not pay attention to people’s suffering.

Tinubu is not interested in all this ,please allow this guy be....he doesn't even know the state of the economy....once old age happens u will only remember what u used to do when you were very young....tinubu only remembered taxes which was foolishness

Tinubu seems to be a plague set loose on Nigeria to cull the country. By the time he's done with this shithole, only the strong will survive and the weak will perish