Former Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who contested the Labour Party Nigeria governorship ticket in Lagos, has questioned the timing and usefulness of Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom, arguing that it fails to tackle the urgent economic struggles faced by Nigerians.
President Tinubu departed Abuja on Tuesday for the visit—the first by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years. The Presidency described the trip as both symbolic and strategic, aimed at fostering partnerships that could boost Nigeria’s economy and diplomatic ties.
Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard an Airbus A330 around 10:00 a.m.
The visit is expected to deepen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the UK, particularly in trade, investment, immigration, and cultural relations.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Rhodes-Vivour argued that such foreign trips offer little relief to citizens grappling with rising living costs and fuel prices.
“The President has spent a significant amount of time travelling 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,” he said.
He further suggested that while the trip might improve the President’s global image, its direct benefits for everyday Nigerians remain uncertain.
“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.”
In response to criticism, the Federal Government maintained that the visit aligns with Nigeria’s foreign policy goals and longstanding ties with the UK.
Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, speaking to international media in the UK, said some criticisms were either based on misinformation or political motives.
“We know that Nigeria has had its own fair share of criticism about some of those policies that were instituted back home, some of them arising from a lack of adequate knowledge and some out of sheer mischief,” Idris said.
He added that the trip underscores the “historic and strategic relationship Nigeria and the United Kingdom… a relationship that is built on deep diplomatic, economic, cultural, and democratic ties.”
