Tinubu, Shettima to Spend N12.2bn on Travel and Transport as Nigerians Struggle With Cost of Living and Insecurity

Details from Nigeria’s 2026 Appropriation Bill show that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and their aides are slated to spend a total of N12.2 billion on travel and transport this year, a revelation that has ignited widespread criticism just as ordinary Nigerians continue to face economic hardship and a deepening security crisis.

The travel and transport allocation is one of the most eye-catching lines in the budget estimates submitted to the National Assembly, with the presidency prioritising international engagements and local movements despite ongoing fiscal pressures. Of the total figure, President Tinubu’s travel budget accounts for more than N7 billion, split between N6.14 billion for foreign travel and nearly N874 million for local journeys. The Vice President’s travel costs are put at over N1.7 billion, with N1.31 billion for international trips and more than N417 million for domestic travel. A further allocation of more than N3.4 billion was set aside for general travel and transport under the State House headquarters.

The revelations have drawn sharp public rebuke as Nigerians confront rising living costs, persistent inflation, and declining real wages. On the streets and across social media, citizens are questioning how such a large sum can be justified when many families are forced to cut meals, small businesses struggle to stay afloat, and the cost of basic services continues to squeeze household budgets.

The public disquiet comes against a backdrop of insecurity that has worsened in many parts of the country. Kidnappings, banditry, and armed group attacks remain frequent in northern and central regions, displacing thousands and disrupting farming and commerce. With residents facing both economic and physical insecurity, the timing of the substantial travel allocation has intensified feelings that the leadership is out of touch with everyday realities.

The budget breakdown also shows allocations for food and catering supplies, vehicles, welfare packages and other operational expenses tied to the president and vice president’s offices, elements that further fuel perceptions of extravagance. The scale of the presidency’s budgetary privileges stands in stark contrast with slow or stagnant progress on key public services such as education, health and social welfare, where funding, though significant on paper, has yet to translate into visible improvements for many citizens.

Defenders of the spending argue that diplomatic travel is an essential part of statecraft, enabling Nigeria to engage on bilateral and multilateral platforms, attract investment, and strengthen foreign relations. They say the allocations are standard for heads of state and their deputies, who carry the country’s interests abroad. Yet even some supporters concede that in times of hardship, symbolic restraint from public officials could help reassure a weary populace.

For many Nigerians, however, the issue is not simply about diplomatic necessity but about priorities and optics. Asking citizens to tighten belts while the presidency budgets billions for travel and transport has struck a nerve. The N12.2 billion figure has quickly become a flashpoint in broader debates about governance, leadership accountability and whether those entrusted with national power are aligned with the struggles of the people they serve.

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