TINUBU’S FOREIGN TRIPS DELIVER DEFENCE, TRADE AND ECONOMIC GAINS — BAT IDEOLOGICAL GROUP

By Ezinne Obah

The convener of the BAT Ideological Group, Comrade Bamidele Atoyebi, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s frequent foreign travels have produced tangible gains for Nigeria in defence cooperation, trade relations and economic recovery.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Atoyebi argued that public criticism focused on the number of days the president spends outside the country fails to consider the outcomes of those engagements, which he said have strengthened Nigeria’s global standing and improved internal conditions.

According to him, the president’s trips should be evaluated based on results rather than public perception.“The objective way to look at these engagements is to interrogate the facts and figures before the trips and where we are now,” Atoyebi said, adding that available indicators point to “a steady upward trajectory” in Nigeria’s recovery.

He cited improved defence relations with the United States, noting that Nigeria is now accessing military hardware and intelligence support that were previously unavailable.

Atoyebi said U.S. manufactured aircraft and armaments are currently being produced for the Nigerian Air Force, with some already delivered and inducted into service, alongside expanded intelligence sharing.

“Not since the Bush and Obasanjo era have defence ties been this close,” he said, describing Tinubu’s diplomatic engagements as instrumental in resetting bilateral relations and unlocking defence cooperation needed to combat insurgency and terrorism.

On Nigeria’s relationship with Turkiye, Atoyebi said President Tinubu’s visit led to the signing of nine agreements covering defence, energy, military training, intelligence sharing, health, education and trade investment estimated at about $5 billion.

He added that bilateral trade between both countries has surpassed $5 billion, while a Turkish bank is finalising plans to open an office in Nigeria.

According to Atoyebi, the strengthened defence partnerships with the United States and Turkiye have translated into concrete operational successes.“Drones, shared intelligence, and real-time information have led to the decimation of terrorists and insurgents,” he said.

Beyond security, Atoyebi pointed to economic indicators, and he said it reflects the impact of the administration’s foreign engagements.

These include rising foreign reserves nearing $50 billion, Nigeria’s removal from the financial grey list, and what he described as renewed global confidence in the Nigerian economy.

He also referenced domestic policy measures such as salary increases for civil servants, tax exemptions for low-income earners, progressive taxation reforms, and a decline in food inflation, which he said have helped ease pressure on households.

Atoyebi further noted that international institutions have projected Nigeria’s economic growth at over 4.4per centt and ranked the country among the top contributors to global growth.

“President Tinubu should be commended rather than vilified for these strides,” he said.

“These are gains that were previously thought unattainable and have been achieved within two years.”

The remarks were contained in an opinion article authored by Atoyebi, who is also a publisher, in which he urged critics to assess the president’s foreign engagements based on measurable outcomes.