Opposition parties criticise President Tinubu’s UAE trip as insensitive amid rising insecurity and foreign military actions in northern Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has faced criticism from opposition parties after departing Nigeria for Europe and the United Arab Emirates at a time of heightened insecurity, including U.S.-led military airstrikes in the North.
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The Presidency confirmed on Sunday that Tinubu left Lagos for his end-of-year holiday ahead of an official visit to Abu Dhabi to participate in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit.
The trip follows an invitation from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
Reacting, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP) condemned the timing. ADC National Publicity Secretary Bola Abdullahi called the move “alarming” amid recent bomb blasts in Zamfara and foreign airstrikes in Sokoto.
LP acting National Chairman Senator Nenadi Usman described the trip as “insensitive and devoid of empathy,” stressing that the President should remain in Nigeria to coordinate security responses.
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, running January 11–15, will host global leaders, investors, and over 700 companies to advance sustainable development strategies. Tinubu previously attended the summit in 2025, engaging Gulf investors on trade, energy, and climate finance.
This marks the 46th foreign trip since Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, spending roughly 192 days abroad.
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Critics argue the timing contrasts sharply with Nigeria’s pressing security and humanitarian challenges.
