Tinubu’s Overseas Travels Unlocking Fresh Economic Opportunities — APC

ABUJA – The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Profes­sor Nentawe Yilwatda, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s overseas travels should be seen not as rou­tine protocol or ceremonial appearances, but as delib­erate interventions aimed at restoring Nigeria’s in­fluence on the global stage and unlocking fresh eco­nomic opportunities.

This is coming amid mounting debates over President Bola Tinubu’s frequent foreign engage­ments.

The APC has mounted a robust defence of the administration’s global diplomacy, insisting that Nigeria is already harvest­ing concrete economic and strategic dividends from sustained international outreach.

In a statement on Tues­day in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the APC Nation­al Chairman on Media and Communications Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda said President Tinubu’s engagements with world leaders and investors have begun to translate into measurable gains for the country.

“Mr. President’s engage­ments with strategic glob­al partners underscore his unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s eco­nomic interests. These vis­its have helped reposition our country on the world stage, yielding tangible benefits that will support long-term prosperity,” Pro­fessor Yilwatda stated.

Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has embarked on an extensive diplomatic drive, visiting key regions across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. During these trips, he has held high-level talks with political and business lead­ers in countries including the United States, the Unit­ed Kingdom, France, Ger­many, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brazil, among others.

According to the APC, these engagements have been largely centred on ex­panding trade, deepening economic cooperation and forging strategic partner­ships capable of support­ing Nigeria’s development ambitions.

Professor Yilwatda dis­closed that the diplomatic push has already yielded more than $50 billion in Foreign Direct Investment commitments, cutting across critical sectors such as energy, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, tech­nology and infrastructure.

“These are not prom­ises on paper. These com­mitments represent real capital flows, job creation opportunities, and technol­ogy transfers that strength­en our economy.”

He praised the president for pursuing and securing agreements that place Ni­geria’s long-term growth and sustainable develop­ment at the centre of global negotiations.

The APC chairman also referenced recent mile­stones, including the Com­prehensive Economic Part­nership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which, he said, is designed to significantly expand trade, investment flows and sectoral cooperation, particularly in energy and agriculture.

Responding to critics who have dismissed the president’s frequent trav­els as excessive or wasteful, Yilwatda argued that such views fail to appreciate the scale and intent of the administration’s reform agenda.

“Those who focus on the cost without recognising the returns are missing the bigger picture. Nige­ria’s reform programme under President Tinubu is bold, strategic, and nec­essary.

“We urge all Nigerians to support these efforts with patience, knowing that the dividends will be felt across the economy,” he said, pushing back against scepticism from political opponents and commenta­tors.

He further stressed that the administration’s approach to reform, span­ning economic policy re­alignment and institution­al strengthening, reflects a seriousness of purpose and an understanding of the sacrifices required to reposition the economy.

“Mr. President has shown both the vision and the determination to see through the reforms this nation needs. Now is not the time for cynicism, but for unity and constructive support as these diplomatic and economic efforts begin to translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives,” Professor Yilwatda said.

He added that the APC remains steadfast in its re­solve to highlight the posi­tive outcomes of Nigeria’s international engagements and to ensure that global partnerships are convert­ed into real benefits for citizens through growth, job creation and shared prosperity.