The administration of President Bola Tinubu has come under fire from the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the financial decisions surrounding Nigeria’s participation in international summits. Paul Ibe, Atiku’s media aide, condemned the government’s actions, labeling them as hypocritical and inconsistent with its declared commitment to fiscal responsibility.
This criticism arose following reports that the Federal Government sponsored 634 delegates to the ongoing COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The staggering cost of this delegation, reported to be around N866 million for flight expenses alone, has sparked widespread public concern.
In a post on the social media platform X, Ibe did not mince words, describing Nigeria’s growing international reputation as troubling. He remarked, “Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has unfortunately earned international infamy, setting Guinness World Records, though for all the wrong reasons.” He highlighted the contradiction between the administration's rhetoric on fiscal restraint and its extravagant spending patterns.
Ibe specifically pointed to the bloated size of Nigeria’s delegation to COP29, emphasizing that it has made Nigeria the largest African contingent at the event. This is not the first instance of such excess. He referenced the previous COP28 summit in Dubai, where the country reportedly sent 1,411 delegates, ranking third globally behind the United States and China.
The criticism extends beyond the sheer size of the delegations. Ibe juxtaposed this with the government’s endorsement of the Steve Oronsaye Report, a document that proposes measures to streamline public expenditures. “While this grand display of extravagance continues, it is baffling that the same administration has been promoting the implementation of the Steve Oronsaye Report, which aims to cut down on government spending and streamline operations,” Ibe said. He decried the inconsistency in advocating for austerity measures while indulging in what he described as excessive and unnecessary expenses.
This development has reignited discussions about fiscal discipline and government accountability in Nigeria. Many citizens have expressed frustration over the perceived double standards, especially as the majority of Nigerians are being urged to endure economic hardships.
The controversy surrounding the size and cost of Nigeria’s delegations to international events underscores the need for transparency and prudence in public spending. It remains to be seen how the Federal Government will respond to these criticisms and whether measures will be taken to address the apparent disparities between policy and practice.
