President Muhammadu Buhari took over power from Goodluck Jonathan on May 29, 2015. After his swearing in, the president has embarked on a number of trips to foreign countries, sparking harsh criticisms.

So far, the president has gone on foreign trips 29 times.

Many Nigerians have kept wondering and asking why Buhari travels so much despite the myriad of challenges facing the country, such as Boko Haram insurgency, uprising in the south east over agitation for Biafra, Fulani herdsmen attack, resurgence of Niger Delta militants and a downturn in the economy.

Responding the criticisms, the presidency claims all Buhari’s travels are a necessary aspect of his change mantra.

According to Buhari, his foreign trips were imperative to present Nigeria’s case on personal basis to her economic colleagues and neighbours.

As Buhari’s one in office anniversary draws close, Naij.com brings you a list of the times the president has jetted out of the country on foreign trips.


1. Niger Republic (June 2015): On June 3, Buhari embarked on his first official trip to Niger, where he held talks with President Mahamadou Issoufou on security and how to curb the activities of the Boko Haram sect in the region.

2. Chad (June 2015): On June 4, he left for Chad where he had talks with Idris Deby, the president of Chad on finding a lasting solution to the lingering Boko Haram insurgency.

3. Germany (June 2015): After his trip to Chad, he left Abuja two days later for Germany to attend the G-7 meeting.

4. South Africa (June 2015): [/b]On June 15, the president left for South Africa to attend the African Union (AU) summit in which he was the chairperson of the Peace & Security Council meeting.

5. United States of America (July 2015): On July 19, the president embarked on a trip to the US to discuss the fight against Boko Haram and trade relations among other things with President Barrack Obama.

6. Cameroon (July 2015): On July 29, Buhari left for a two-day visit to the country to hold crucial talks with President Paul Biya on the way forward in putting an end to the Boko Haram menace.

7. Benin Republic (August 2015): On August 1, President Buhari paid a one-day visit to the country in continuation of the effort to curb Boko Haram insurgency.

8. Ghana (September 2015). On September 7, Buhari was received by the Ghanaian President, John Mahama.

9. France (September 2015): On September 14, Buhari left Abuja for Paris on a three-day official visit following an invitation from his French counterpart, Francois Hollande.

10. USA (September 2015): [/b]The president visited the US again in September for the UN General Assembly. He left Katsina state with a 22-man delegation after celebrating the Eid in his home town in Daura.

11. India (October 2015): Buhari travelled to New Delhi on October 27, to take part in the 3rd Summit of the India-Africa Forum alongside other African leaders.

12. Sudan (October 2015): On his way back to Nigeria from India, he made a brief stopover in Sudan where he met with Sudan president, Omar al-Bashir.

13. Iran (November 2015): [/b]The president arrived at the Mehrabad International Airport on November 22 and was received by the Iranian deputy president, Shariat Madri.

14. France (November 2015: He arrived France to join other world leaders for the Conference of Parties 21 (COP21) on climate change in Paris.

15. Malta (November 2015): [/b]Buhari participated in the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which commenced on November 27

16. South Africa (December 2015): He went on a second trip to the country for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 4 and 5.

17. Benin Republic (December 2015): The president attended the funeral service of Late Gen. Mathiew Kerekou (former president of Republic of Benin) at Friendship Stadium in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

18. United Arab Emirates (January 2016): In January 2016, Buhari went on another trip where he held talks with the effective head of the government, His Highness Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayad Al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the UAE armed forces.

19. Kenya (January 2016): [/b]Buhari joined President Uhuru Kenyatta and other dignitaries at a memorial service for Kenyan soldiers, who were killed by Al-Shabaab in Somalia on January 15.

20. Ethiopia (January 2016): President Buhari touched down at the Addis Ababa International Airport in Ethiopia for the 26th Summit of the African Union Heads of State and Government holding in the country on January 29.
President Buhari at the African Union Peace and Security Council

21. France (February 2016): [/b]On February 2, the president arrived at Strasbourg in France amidst bad weather ahead of his address at the Plenary Session of the European Union.

22. United Kingdom (February 2016): He departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom on February 5 and attended the Syria Donor Conference after which he proceeded on vacation.

23. Egypt (February 2016): He was in the country to participate in the Business for Africa, Egypt and the World Forum.

24. Saudi Arabia (February 2016): On February 22, he arrived Saudi Arabia on an official visit, to hold crucial talks on how to stabilize crude oil prices on the international market.

25. Qatar (February 2016):He held talks with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani, which culminated in the signing of a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to pave way for direct flights between major cities of both countries.

26. Equatorial Guinea (March 2016): He arrived Malabo, Equatorial Guinea for a two-day visit on March 14.

27. USA (March 2016): He was in the country to participate in the 4th nuclear security summit on March 31.

28. China (April 2016): Buhari was in China on his four-day visit to strengthen diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and Nigeria.

29. UK (May 2016): He arrived the United Kingdom for the international anti-corruption summit in London.

https://www.naij.com/841291-may-29-2015-till-date-see-many-times-buhari-travelled-far.html

This is indeed the travelling president. Let the results of all the foreign trips begin to manifest.

Perhaps he wanted to break or create a record...all must be well sha

LMAO maybe he is a tourist president. im not even sure if barack obama in all his years of rulling as travled this much.

The person no count well. It's more than 30 times.

All hail the minister of tourism #sai baba buhari

Buhari lives outside Nigeria, He rules the Country from abroad, look at his seat, its Empty.

Possibly d geriatric President misconstrued d 29 in d May as d number of foreign trips that must be actualized before the first anniversary.