As President Bola Tinubu’s second anniversary in office approaches, Nigeria’s number one citizen has again embarked on a journey, this time to an all-too-familiar destination: France. The President departed Nigeria on April 2 for a working visit expected to last two weeks. According to a statement from Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the purpose of his trip is to review his administration’s midterm performance.

For a nation whose citizens have seen their quality of life worsen significantly since the president assumed office, most of the presidency’s activities leave them less than thrilled. The midterm review seems like a poorly staged display for a presidency in need of credibility, especially since it involved only the president jetting out of the country. Surely, a true evaluation of performance should involve input from various ministries, parastatals, and their leaders. Perhaps there have been arrangements behind the scenes, but the fact that it’s taking place in France only raises more questions about a government already steeped in opacity. Tinubu’s departure marked his fifth trip to France since becoming president, having already spent a total of 21 days there in 2025 alone.

Official or personal, state trips abroad are not unusual. They are often necessary for strengthening alliances, holding diplomatic negotiations, attending multilateral conferences, and advancing other national interests. Under President Tinubu, Nigeria has hosted global leaders like Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He himself has visited no fewer than 25 countries since assuming office.

These travels haven’t escaped criticism. As of January 2025, it was reported that Tinubu had spent over 30% of his time in office outside Nigeria. Of course, this drew mixed reactions from the nation’s stakeholders. In his usual pattern, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was among the prominent public figures to air his opinion. The former Anambra State governor advised Tinubu to prioritise domestic tours over foreign trips to better understand and address the country’s worsening economic and security situation. Critics also raised concerns over the cost implications. According to BusinessDay, the presidency spent over ₦2.3 billion on foreign trips and related expenses between February and July 2024. This figure has prompted concerns among analysts who question the necessity of such expenditure, given the country’s strained finances and the seemingly minimal returns on the investments. 

Beyond the sheer volume of trips, the recurring choice of the French capital as a destination has raised eyebrows. Tinubu has visited France more than any other country since taking office. Though publicly labeled as “private” or “working” visits, speculation has mounted over the possibility of medical motives driving these frequent travels. During the 2023 presidential campaign, Tinubu’s health was a major concern. Many questioned his fitness to lead Africa’s most populous nation, but his team has repeatedly tried to reshape the narrative surrounding his medical state.

One of the many Nigerians unconvinced by the media gymnastics by the presidency is activist and politician Omoyele Sowore. The African Action Congress flagbearer in the 2023 general election was quick to speak out following Tinubu’s latest trip.

“Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fled Nigeria again to France, for medical care, although some liars in his office claim he is on a ‘working visit,’ Sowore posted on Facebook. “It is troubling to know that approximately 200 million Nigerians may be repeatedly subjected to misinformation disseminated on a daily basis, and they in turn do nothing to liberate themselves.”

Sowore’s statement echoes earlier investigative revelations by The Africa Report, which in 2023 revealed that Tinubu’s post-election visit to France was not simply a “relaxation visit” as described by aides. Instead, he was said to have been at the American Hospital of Paris for medical attention. 

This continued ambiguity points to a troubling lack of transparency from the government. But perhaps more alarming is the subtle reconfiguration of Nigeria-France relations under Tinubu. When Tinubu and the First Lady made their first official visit to the French capital in November 2024, it marked the first by a Nigerian president in 24 years since President Olusegun Obasanjo’s state visit in 2000.

Nigeria, being France’s top trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, made Tinubu’s first official visit appear timely and strategic, as reflected in the major agriculture, health, and infrastructure deals signed between both parties. However, considering France’s declining influence across West Africa, where military coups in former colonies like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have upended long-standing power dynamics, concerns about France’s interest in Nigeria serving as a backdoor into the continent are becoming increasingly legitimate in light of President Tinubu’s recurring opaque visits. It’s a pattern that raises more red flags than reassurance since previously aligned African countries weren’t better for it.