Federal Government’s Spending on First Lady Remi Tinubu’s Foreign Trips
A recent report has revealed that the Nigerian government spent N701 million in three months on the foreign trips of First Lady Remi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This expenditure covered her official engagements in five countries: the United States, France, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and the United Kingdom.
Breakdown of Remi Tinubu’s Travel Expenses
United States Trip
On November 17, 2023, the government allocated N77,659,888 for the purchase of foreign exchange ($94,314) to fund Remi Tinubu’s trip to the United States.
France Trip
On February 24, 2024, N149,794,284 was spent on her official visit to France, which occurred on January 4, 2024.
Mozambique Trip
On March 15, 2024, N202,386,198 was allocated for her trip to Mozambique.
Ethiopia and UK Trips
On the same day, the government spent N144,571,785 for her trip to Ethiopia, which took place on February 9, 2024, and N126,295,377 for her visit to the United Kingdom later that month.
Government Spending on Remi Tinubu’s Programs
In addition to foreign travel, the Federal Government also allocated N314 million for six programs organized by Remi Tinubu over four months. These programs focused on initiatives for women, youth, and children.
Event and Decoration Costs
On May 24, 2024, Rock of Ages Total Events Centre Ltd received N131,921,786 for full-scale decorations during State House events related to the First Lady’s programs.
On May 29, 2024, the government paid N107,630,000 to Makeway Nigeria Limited for multimedia services during these events.
Public Criticism and Constitutional Concerns
This significant spending has attracted criticism from various quarters, including the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL). Debo Adeniran, Executive Director of CACOL, argued that such spending is unconstitutional since the office of the First Lady is not recognized by the Nigerian Constitution. He also questioned the National Assembly’s oversight, suggesting that lawmakers have failed to control excessive government spending.
Conclusion: Calls for Accountability
Public discourse has intensified regarding the appropriateness of spending nearly N1 billion on the First Lady’s travel and program expenses. Critics argue that government priorities should focus on initiatives that benefit the masses, especially during times of economic hardship.