The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s frequent foreign engagements, insisting the trips are aimed at boosting investment and strengthening Nigeria’s global economic partnerships rather than serving political optics.
The response followed criticism from former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who questioned the value of the President’s overseas visits and argued that international engagements should be judged by measurable economic outcomes.
According to the Presidency, Obi’s position presents a “populist” interpretation of Nigeria’s diplomatic strategy while overlooking the broader objectives behind the engagements.
The government maintained that Nigeria’s participation in major international forums is carefully planned to attract investors, deepen trade ties, and strengthen strategic relationships with global stakeholders.
Officials also noted that recent presidential delegations included leading Nigerian private sector figures, describing the move as part of a deliberate economic diplomacy strategy designed to connect foreign investors directly with business leaders from Nigeria.
The Presidency argued that Tinubu’s foreign trips are tied to ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria globally, improve investor confidence, and support long-term economic reforms across critical sectors.
It added that comparisons between Nigeria’s diplomatic approach and those of more developed economies often ignore differences in economic structure, scale, and global influence.
According to the statement, the administration is leveraging international partnerships to support reforms in energy, agriculture, technology, and manufacturing.
The Presidency also rejected claims that governance suffers during the President’s travels, insisting that modern communication systems allow continuous oversight of national affairs regardless of location.
The latest exchange reflects the growing political debate surrounding Tinubu’s foreign engagements, with opposition figures arguing that greater attention should be focused on domestic economic and security challenges.
However, the Presidency maintained that the administration’s international outreach is intended to create long-term economic gains and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global economy.
