President Bola Tinubu landed in Lagos from Paris on Tuesday evening after a month-long holiday in Europe. Upon his return, he addressed concerns about his health, assuring Nigerians that he was healthy and prepared to work. Tinubu expressed that he had a fantastic time during his holiday. His return comes amidst growing concerns about the impact of his absence on the country.
During Tinubu's holiday, many Nigerians faced crisis-level food insecurity, with an estimated 34.8 million people affected, according to the FAO and WFP. The country's public debt has also risen to approximately N716,822 per citizen, an increase of 87% in three years. These statistics have raised questions about the cost of Tinubu's absence on the country.
Despite the concerns, Tinubu's administration has seen some positive developments. The country's external reserves hit an 18-year high of $54.69 billion during his absence. Inflation eased to 15.39% in August, and the stock market reached a record capitalisation of N163.06 trillion shortly after. These achievements have been attributed to the administration's economic policies.
On the security front, there were 22 incidents of banditry, five terrorism incidents, 27 kidnappings, and 50 homicides from September 5 to 11. Tragically, 37 illegal miners died in Minna while detained, prompting Tinubu to order an independent inquiry. The incident has raised concerns about the state of security in the country.
In Borno State, efforts continue to locate 78 schoolchildren abducted from Mussa and Lassa, despite troops rescuing 66 victims and eliminating 12 terrorists during Tinubu's month away. The incident has highlighted the ongoing security challenges in the region. The administration has been working to address these challenges.
Tinubu's last-minute absence from the UN General Assembly, where Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered Nigeria's statement for the third year running, has also raised questions. Kenyan President William Ruto's address at the Assembly, where he asserted that "Africa does not come to plead. We come to propose," has been seen as a contrast to Nigeria's approach. Ruto's speech was well-received, positioning him as a leader at the forefront of global discourse.
Tinubu's dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron on September 17, where they sported matching spotted ties, has also been a point of interest. Their relationship has flourished since Tinubu's first international engagement at Macron's Summit in June. However, concerns remain about the implications of this close friendship, especially when Nigerian Niger junta leader General Abdourahamane Tchiani accused him of collaborating with France to destabilise his regime.
Key points
- President Tinubu's month-long holiday in Europe has sparked concerns about the cost of his absence on Nigeria.
- The country's external reserves hit an 18-year high of $54.69 billion during Tinubu's absence.
- Tinubu's administration has faced security challenges, including the abduction of 78 schoolchildren in Borno State.
