President Bola Tinubu’s frequent visits to France—most recently on April 2, 2025—have raised fresh concerns about his health and the transparency of his administration. This marks his seventh visit to France since taking office in May 2023 and the ninth overall since March 2023.
Although each trip has been publicly framed as either a working visit or private travel, sources consistently suggest that medical treatment is the underlying reason. The latest visit is expected to last two weeks.
Tinubu’s travel history shows a consistent pattern. His first known medical trip to France took place shortly after his election in March 2023, following a viral video that sparked speculation about his health. He returned to Nigeria on April 24 after over a month abroad.
On May 9, 2023, just weeks before his inauguration, reports emerged that he had returned to France for further medical consultations. The Office of the President-elect later confirmed the trip as a working visit, although insiders maintained it was health-related.
In June 2023, shortly after assuming office, Tinubu traveled to France for the New Global Financial Pact Summit. While officially a diplomatic mission, sources indicated that medical treatment also took place.
January 2024 saw another 13-day “private visit,” which multiple reports confirmed was for medical care. Further visits followed in May, August, November 2024, and February 2025—each labeled differently but often linked to his ongoing medical needs.
21 Days Abroad in Just Over Two Months
The President’s latest trip brings his total stay in France to 21 days within the last two months alone. This, critics say, is excessive for a sitting president and raises important questions about his fitness for office.
Beyond health concerns, the cost of these frequent travels has also come under scrutiny. According to data from the Open Treasury Portal, the Tinubu administration spent N36.3 billion on international travel in 2024 alone. This includes:
– N12.2 billion for “international travel and transport (training)”
– N24.19 billion for “international travel and transport (others)”
Local travel expenses were also significant, with N47 billion spent in total for local transport in 2024. Combined, both local and international travel expenditures reached N83 billion.
The Presidency maintains that the trips are either work-related or personal, but the repeated medical narrative raises concerns over the administration’s transparency. Critics argue that Nigerians have a right to be informed about the true state of the President’s health, given the potential impact on governance and national stability.
While the Presidency continues to deflect medical inquiries with vague statements, public pressure is mounting for full disclosure.
