From VenturesAfrica. Story by Omotola Omolayo.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has a busy schedule and up to a quarter of his time in office has been spent traveling outside the country.

Nigerians have been complaining about his inaction. Some say the president’s numerous foreign trips have consumed a significant amount of money.

Buhari and his officials spend between $350,000 and $500,000 for a two-day trip, according to a report by Sahara Reporters.

Buhari has made 12 foreign trips including two to the U.S. but few official trips within Nigeria, earning him the nickname “Minister for Tourism.”

 

In his defense, the president has cut travel costs compared to his predecessor, said Garba Shehu, Buhari’s assistant of media and publicity.

For example Buhari traveled to the U.N. General Assembly in September with an entourage of 32 people including his cook, his doctor and his luggage officer. Goodluck Jonathan attended the same meeting in 2014 with 150 officials and family members, according to the Buhari administration.

“President Buhari’s foreign visits have been marked by punishing schedules,” said Shehu. “They are always businesslike and results oriented. All trips have been marked by tight schedules — meeting after meeting happening back-to-back, morning, afternoon and evening. The president has had to travel overnight for some of these meetings. The visit by any president to another country is the highest act in international relations. It sends out a message that that county is important to the visitor.”

The president’s trips are necessary to aid the growth of the economy, according to the administration.

Ben Murray Bruce, a member of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party said in a tweet that Nigeria’s visits to other countries should be reciprocated.

Read more at VenturesAfrica.