Faith Nyasuguta
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has embarked on a two-week work visit to Paris, where he will reflect on his administration’s achievements and strategize for the future. The visit, described as an essential period of review, will focus on assessing the progress made so far and determining the next steps for his leadership.
In a statement titled “President Tinubu to Embark on a Working Visit to Paris,” the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, highlighted the purpose of the trip. Onanuga noted that the visit would provide an opportunity for President Tinubu to review the administration’s mid-term performance, evaluate key milestones, and plan for the year ahead. He emphasized that this period of reflection would guide efforts to strengthen ongoing reforms and accelerate the country’s development priorities.
While the trip may be seen as an important opportunity for reflection, many critics argue that such reviews could easily be done at home, making the president’s travel unnecessary. With modern communication tools and a dedicated team in place, the review of progress and planning for the future can occur without the need for costly international travel.
This kind of frequent overseas travel by African leaders has often been criticized as a waste of public funds, especially when the work in question could be managed locally.
The president’s departure was marked by a farewell from senior government officials who accompanied him to the presidential jet. Despite being away from the country, the statement reassured Nigerians that President Tinubu would remain engaged with his staff and continue to monitor the government’s activities throughout the duration of his visit.
One of the major highlights of the trip is the progress Nigeria has made economically, which President Tinubu will assess. According to the latest report from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the country’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen dramatically to $23.11 billion. This is a significant increase from the previous $3.99 billion in reserves reported in 2023. The surge in reserves reflects the administration’s fiscal reforms and bolstered efforts to stabilize Nigeria’s economy. Onanuga pointed out that these economic strides highlight President Tinubu’s commitment to pushing forward with these reforms.
This trip to Paris is not President Tinubu’s first international visit, nor is it his first time traveling to the French capital. Earlier this year, ahead of attending the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tinubu made a private visit to France. During this trip, he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing on strengthening the commercial and investment ties between Nigeria and France. Their discussions were centered on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring opportunities for further collaboration.
In addition to his diplomatic activities, President Tinubu has also been active in making key domestic changes. Just days before his Paris trip, it was reported that he had dismissed the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). This included the dismissal of the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, and the Board Chairman, Pius Akinyelure. The decision, according to the president’s office, was made to improve the operational efficiency of the NNPC and restore investor confidence in the country’s oil sector.
The move is seen as part of Tinubu’s broader goal to make the NNPC a more commercially viable entity. As part of the reshuffling, Bayo Ojulari has been appointed as the new Group Chief Executive Officer, replacing Mele Kyari. Additionally, Ahmadu Musa Kida will take on the role of non-executive chairman, succeeding Pius Akinyelure, and Adedapo Segun has been confirmed as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer.
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