Tinubu foreign trips earn Nigeria international recognition, strengthen reforms, and improve security cooperation with global partners
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s extensive foreign engagements have earned Nigeria significant international recognition and strengthened global partnerships, his Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs, Ademola Oshodi, has stated.
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Oshodi told Channels Television’s Morning Brief that the trips had positioned Nigeria favourably among international partners and multilateral institutions.
“The Nigerian government has received accolades and praise for its reforms from major institutions, including the World Bank and the IMF,” he said.
A Sunday PUNCH analysis revealed that in their 33 months in office, President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have undertaken 69 trips across 35 countries, spending over 315 days abroad.
Tinubu alone has logged 245 days in 28 countries, covering approximately 240,000 nautical miles and more than 380 flight hours. Frequent destinations included Paris (11 visits), London (nine), Abu Dhabi and Dubai (four), and Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia (three).
Oshodi acknowledged criticisms of the administration’s $9 million lobbying contract with the US-based DCI Group, stressing the importance of controlling the international narrative on issues such as banditry and insurgency.
He warned that failing to project Nigeria’s true story could pose a “huge national security threat.”
On economic reforms, Oshodi urged patience, drawing comparisons to historic reforms in the United Kingdom and China.
He cited Ghana’s recent success in reducing inflation to 3.6 per cent as an example of how timely reforms, though initially challenging, can stabilise economies.
The senior aide also highlighted improved security cooperation with global partners.
“Security is putting the backing of the Americans and all world powers to ensure we fight banditry and insurgency. This is not immediate, but Nigeria is on the right path for stability and prosperity,” he said.
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Oshodi further praised First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her international recognition by former US President Donald Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast, describing her as “a great soft power for the country.”
