Nigeria: Tinubu’s 100-car convoy upon return from Britain sparks debate

Tuesday’s return of the new Nigerian President Bola Tinubu from Britain has sparked conversation.

Tinubu arrived in the West African country’s commercial capital Lagos for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha to a grand reception, where witnesses say he was accompanied by more than 100 vehicles.

He flew into Lagos in his Gulfstream jet, after which dozens of SUVs and military escorts accompanied him along closed-off roads, with some social media users reporting hours-long traffic delays.

Critics however found the president’s long convoy distasteful, especially at a time when Nigerians are grappling with high fuel prices amid the removal of a fuel subsidy by Tinubu upon assumption into office.

But Tinubu later thanked Nigerians for the “overwhelming reception” they gave him upon arrival from his trip abroad. The 71-year-old had travelled to Paris, France to attend a summit before making a private visit to London.

Just two weeks ago, the Nigerian leader was in the headlines for enlisting a firefighting truck into his convoy, the first in the history of the Nigerian presidency.

Tinubu was elected in February in a highly contested vote and assumed office on May 29, succeeding Muhamadu Buhari.