Professor Jideofor Adibe, a Political Science expert, has strongly criticized the Presidency’s decision to bring a reported 1,411 Nigerian delegates to the ongoing COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Adibe, who was speaking on Channels TV, emphasized that the staggering number of delegates accompanying President Tinubu to the summit raised concerns about the government’s commitment to reducing the high cost of governance.
He questioned the optics and compassion of such actions amid the country’s economic challenges, borrowing trends, and the increasing hardships faced by Nigerians.
“Amid the binge on loans and borrowings, and the increasing hardship and increasing emigration of Nigerians, these things happening raise questions about fidelity to cutting down the cost of governance and whether there is compassion for suffering Nigerians,” said Adibe.
The professor highlighted that the government reportedly funded transportation for the delegates from Nigeria to Dubai and will cover daily estacodes of approximately $900 per delegate and hotel expenses for the two-week summit.
Adibe stressed that delegations accompanying the President should primarily consist of experts in specific fields, suggesting that no more than three ministers should accompany the President to international events like COP28.
Adibe urged President Tinubu to align actions with promises of reducing government expenditure by holding officials accountable for the large delegation in Dubai.
