President Bola Ahmed Tinubu two weeks working visit to Paris, France today has come with shock for so many as the presidency had noted that the trip will enable the President appraise his administration’s mid-term performance.
One question to ask is the cost implications of such trip and it’s importance to the general welfare of the country. One could also wonder if the assessment can’t be done in the country rather than flying out? This and many more lied in the heart o Nigerians after the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, In a statement early Wednesday announced the trip.
Onanuga added that Tinubu will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary.
“This period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year.
“Recent economic strides reinforce the President’s commitment to these efforts, as evidenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria reporting a significant increase in net foreign exchange reserves to $23.11 billion—a testament to the administration’s fiscal reforms since 2023 when net reserves were $3.99 billion,” Onanuga said.
He added that while away, President Tinubu will remain fully engaged with his team and continue to oversee governance activities.
Present at the airport during his departure were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Budget and Economic Planning Minister, Atiku Bagudu, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, among others.
The President’s numerous trips to France will begin to raise concerns, In February, he left there on a private visit en route to Addis Ababa. However, Nigeria and France have a multifaceted relationship which encompasses economic, security and cultural cooperation, both countries collaborating on security and development initiatives.
See reactions to the President’s trip
