The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has said President Bola Tinubu’s foreign trips are delivering tangible economic benefits for Nigeria, citing increased investment inflows and stronger global partnerships.
Yilwatda made the remarks in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, describing the President’s travels as strategic engagements aimed at repositioning Nigeria economically and diplomatically.
In recent months, President Tinubu’s frequent foreign trips have drawn criticism from opposition figures, who have described them as excessive and wasteful. The Presidency, however, has maintained that the trips are necessary to attract investment and strengthen Nigeria’s standing within the global community.
Defending the President, the APC chairman said such criticisms fail to consider the broader economic objectives of the administration, insisting that the gains from the trips outweigh their costs.
“Mr President’s engagements with strategic global partners underscore his unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s economic interests,” Yilwatda said. “These visits have helped reposition our country on the world stage, yielding tangible benefits that will support long-term prosperity.”
$50bn investment commitments
According to the APC chairman, President Tinubu has, since assuming office in May 2023, undertaken a series of international visits across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas, engaging with political leaders and investors in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brazil.
He said the visits were focused on economic cooperation, trade expansion and the strengthening of strategic partnerships.
Yilwatda stated that Nigeria has secured over $50bn in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitments through the President’s diplomatic engagements, with investments spanning sectors such as energy, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, technology and infrastructure.
“These commitments are not mere promises on paper,” he said, adding that they are expected to translate into capital inflows, job creation and technology transfer.
Defence against criticism
Yilwatda also pointed to recent diplomatic milestones, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which he said is aimed at boosting trade, investment and cooperation in sectors such as energy and agriculture.
Responding to critics who have described the President’s foreign travels as excessive, the APC chairman said such views were short-sighted and overlooked the administration’s broader reform agenda.
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“Those who focus only on the cost without recognising the returns are missing the bigger picture,” he said. “Nigeria’s reform programme under President Tinubu is bold, strategic and necessary.”
He urged Nigerians to support the administration’s reform efforts, stressing that the benefits would become more visible over time.
“The President’s capacity to follow through on reforms, from economic policy shifts to institutional strengthening, demonstrates a strong commitment to transforming the Nigerian economy and improving living standards,” Yilwatda added.
