The Nigerian Federal Government has reportedly spent approximately N701 million on foreign trips for the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, over a three-month period, according to findings by Saturday PUNCH.
The expenditures covered visits to five countries, including two African nations.
The spending aligns with the 2023 supplementary budget approved by the National Assembly, which allocated N1.5 billion for the procurement of vehicles for the Office of the First Lady.
A broader budget of N2.1 trillion was approved, earmarking N2.9 billion for sport utility vehicles at the Presidential Villa, alongside another N2.9 billion for replacing operational vehicles for the Presidency.
Despite these allocations, Senator Ali Ndume clarified that the N1.5 billion budget was intended for the entire Presidency, not solely for the First Lady’s office.
However, using GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks government spending, Saturday PUNCH found that N700,707,532 was expended over three months on the First Lady’s foreign travels.
These included trips to the United States, France, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and the United Kingdom.In November 2023, the government disbursed N77,659,888 for Remi Tinubu’s U.S. visit, while in February 2024, N149,794,284 was paid for a trip to France.
Subsequent payments of N202,386,198, N144,571,785, and N126,295,377 covered trips to Mozambique, Ethiopia, and the U.K., respectively.
Additionally, a further N314 million was spent over four months on six programs involving the First Lady, including decoration and multimedia services for her events focused on women, youth, and children.
The total spending on the First Lady’s trips and programs over seven months now stands at over N1 billion.
Critics have condemned the expenditures, citing the absence of any legal recognition for the Office of the First Lady in Nigeria’s constitution.
Debo Adeniran, Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, called the spending “profligate” and labeled it “misappropriation of funds,” arguing that such appropriations are illegal.
Eze Onyekper, Director of the Centre for Social Justice, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that there is no legal basis for funding the First Lady’s office from public resources.
Both advocates called for greater accountability from the National Assembly and urged Nigerians to voice their concerns about the use of public funds for unconstitutional purposes.