President Bola Tinubu's decision to travel to Europe has ignited significant criticism, notably from Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who labeled the move “insensitive and alarming” and highlighted a perceived “lack of care” from the President. Abdullahi's statement, posted on his official X account, underscored the troubling timing of the foreign trip amidst escalating security challenges in Nigeria.

These challenges include a deadly bomb blast in Zamfara State and a recent, unprecedented United States military strike on Nigerian soil. Abdullahi stressed that Nigerians were awaiting reassurance from the President on these critical national security issues when news of his trip emerged. He specifically criticised President Tinubu's silence following the Zamfara blast and the foreign military attack, stating, “In the wake of yet another deadly bomb blast in Zamfara, to which the President has not said a single word; on the back of an unprecedented foreign military attack on Nigerian soil; right in the middle of all the uncertainty it has provoked; with a confused and scared nation waiting for the President to speak to us and assure us that all is well, the next thing we hear is that the President has gone on holiday. What a President.”

Conversely, the President's special adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, issued a statement clarifying that President Tinubu departed Lagos for Europe as part of his end-of-year break. Onanuga added that the trip is also in anticipation of an official engagement in the United Arab Emirates, specifically the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) Summit. President Tinubu was invited by the UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to attend this weeklong annual event, which convenes leaders from government, business, and society to discuss sustainable development, focusing on innovation, finance, and people under the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go”. Onanuga stated that the President would return to Nigeria after the summit.

Despite the official explanation, public and social media reactions mirrored Abdullahi's concerns, demanding greater transparency and accountability regarding presidential travels. X users questioned the vagueness of the travel details, such as the specific European destination, duration, cost, and delegation size. Some comments highlighted a lack of clarity on what constitutes an “end of year break” and the precise start and end dates of the Abu Dhabi summit, suggesting a potential lack of transparency if the President was seeking medical attention. Comparisons were drawn to the expected level of detail for American or European leaders travelling abroad.

Further concerns were raised about the perceived incongruity of the President taking a break abroad while foreign military forces were operating in Nigeria to address insecurity, questioning whether the government's primary responsibility of securing lives and properties had collapsed. Critics emphasized that at a time of economic hardship, transparency and accountability around presidential travels are essential, not optional. The collective sentiment underscored a demand for clear details and tangible benefits to Nigerians from such trips, especially during periods of national distress and uncertainty.