President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has left the United Kingdom for Paris, France, where he is set to attend a significant, yet undisclosed, engagement. This comes after spending over a week in the UK for what was described as a two-week working vacation.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, revealed Tinubu’s departure in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. Masari shared details of his visit to the president’s private residence in the UK, stating, “Today, I had the honor of visiting President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR at his private residence in the United Kingdom, where we engaged in productive discussions. We then departed for Paris, France, for another important engagement.”
While Masari did not disclose the nature of the engagement in France, the president’s ongoing travel comes at a time of growing discontent among Nigerians, who are grappling with severe economic difficulties.
Tinubu’s departure follows the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) recent increase in fuel prices, with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, now costing N1,030 per liter. The price hike has triggered widespread frustration, with many citizens lamenting the escalating cost of living, which has further strained household budgets and deepened the country’s economic woes.
Despite the backlash over the fuel price hike, President Tinubu’s office has maintained that the UK visit is part of his annual leave, as previously scheduled. However, his absence during a period of national hardship has drawn criticism from some Nigerians, who feel that more urgent action is needed to address the rising costs of essential goods and services.
The government’s removal of fuel subsidies earlier this year has already led to soaring prices, with the latest hike exacerbating the challenges faced by millions of Nigerians. Public sentiment remains tense as the country continues to navigate the economic impact of the subsidy removal and ongoing inflationary pressures.
Details of President Tinubu’s engagements in France are expected to be announced in the coming days. However, the timing of his international travels, amid growing domestic unrest, has left many citizens calling for more immediate solutions to the economic challenges they face.
