Gbadebo Rhodes-Viviour has questioned the value of President Bola Tinubu’s foreign trips, saying they offer little benefit to Nigerians amid the country’s ongoing challenges.
Rhodes-Viviour, the Labour Party governorship candidate for Lagos State in the 2023 elections, criticised the president for prioritising a visit to the United Kingdom despite rising fuel costs and other economic hardships facing Nigerians.
“The President has spent a significant amount of time traveling outside the country while the people are experiencing extreme hardship. That is unprecedented. Regarding the topic you just discussed and the pain Nigerians are dealing with specifically higher petrol and diesel prices I don’t think this visit is a priority for Nigerians right now,” Rhodes-Viviour, now a member of the African Democratic Congress, said this on Tuesday, the 17th of March, 2026, during Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
“His visiting and perhaps adding some legitimacy and credibility to his position as President is good for him, his optics, and his party. However, I don’t see how it is entirely good for the Nigerian people. This is a President who spends quite a lot of time outside the country, so I don’t truly see the value for the average Nigerian. For him, surely, it is beneficial.”
President Tinubu is currently on a state visit to the UK, accompanied by First Lady Remi Tinubu and other senior officials.
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They are guests of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who will host them at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, the 18th of March, to Thursday, the 19th.
The presidency said the visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new avenues for collaboration.
This is the first UK visit by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. The countries share strong historical ties, with the UK having colonised Nigeria.
Tinubu’s trip adds to his series of foreign travels, but critics and opposition parties continue to question the timing, urging him to focus on addressing domestic challenges.