Nigeria is about to witness a new era of leadership as President-elect Bola Tinubu prepares to take the mantle of leadership on May 29, 2023.
However, with Tinubu’s second trip abroad barely two weeks after returning from Europe, some are already drawing comparisons to the outgoing President, Muhammadu Buhari, who was criticized for his frequent travels.
There is no doubt that Buhari’s frequent travels left many Nigerians feeling frustrated, as they felt that he was not doing enough to address the country’s numerous challenges.
While Tinubu’s recent trip to Europe may have raised some eyebrows, it is important to note that the circumstances surrounding the two leaders’ travels are vastly different.
Buhari’s trips were often shrouded in secrecy, and there was little or no communication about what he was doing or achieving during his travels.
In contrast, Tinubu’s trip to Europe was announced ahead of time, and his team, at least for now, has been transparent about the purpose of the trip.
According to his media aide, Tunde Rahman, the President-elect’s trip to Europe is aimed at fine-tuning his transition plans and programmes, and his policy options with some of his key aides.
He is also expected to engage with investors and other key allies with the goal of marketing investment opportunities in Nigeria and creating a business-friendly climate through policies and regulations.
The apraoxh sounds nice and appears to be in line with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which prioritizes reviving Nigeria’s economy and creating empowering opportunities for the country’s youth population.
It is important to believe the President-elect and trust that he is already hitting the ground running with the supposed move to engage with global actors in the areas of the economy and security. This suggests that he is focused on delivering on his promises.
Furthermore, it is important to note that Tinubu’s trip to Europe is not the same as Buhari’s frequent travels, which were often criticized for being unproductive and a waste of resources; though is still too early to conclude.
All the same, Tinubu’s team has indicated that the trip is necessary to allow him to carry out some tasks without unnecessary pressure and distractions and we should believe them, and wait, watch and see.
In conclusion, while there may be concerns about Tinubu’s recent trip to Europe, it is important to judge him based on his actions and results rather than drawing comparisons to past leaders.
Tinubu has already begun talks with global actors in the important areas of the economy and security, and,at least, his team’s transparency and focus on delivering results suggest that he is committed to fulfilling his promises to the Nigerian people.