Sowore Calls Tinubu’s UK Trip a “Diplomatic Excursion,” Questions Benefits for Nigeria

Human rights lawyer and former 2023 presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s current visit to the United Kingdom, describing it as a “diplomatic excursion” that offers little tangible benefit to Nigeria.

Tinubu arrived in the UK on Tuesday with First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, marking the first official visit by a Nigerian president to the country in decades. The trip includes a scheduled meeting with King Charles III and discussions on trade, port renovations, and other bilateral matters.

Speaking on Channels Television’s *The Morning Brief*, Sowore questioned the value of such trips, asserting that they do not generate direct investment for Nigeria.

“These visits are nothing more than diplomatic excursions. Beyond the fanfare on TV, they’re not bringing anything to Nigeria that we cannot secure otherwise,” Sowore said. “The cost of these travels often outweighs any so-called investment outcomes.”

Sowore also compared presidential trips to foreign tours by Nigerian musicians and artists, noting that entertainers often bring more financial return to the country than government delegations.

Since assuming office in 2023, Tinubu has undertaken multiple foreign trips, which his administration frames as efforts to attract investment and strengthen international partnerships. Despite this, Sowore argues that no significant financial inflow has resulted from these visits.

The UK remains a key partner for Nigeria in trade, aid, and defence, and London hosts a substantial Nigerian diaspora. Tinubu’s visit, therefore, carries symbolic and diplomatic significance, even as its economic impact is questioned by critics.