Why is president Tinubu traveling to Senegal?

President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, for Dakar, Senegal, to attend the inauguration of Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye.

The announcement was made by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu to attend the inauguration of Senegal’s President-elect Bassirou Faye.’

Tinubu, who currently serves as the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, is visiting Senegal at the invitation of the Senegalese government. This marks his first official visit to the country since assuming office.

Accompanying President Tinubu on the trip will be the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and other senior government officials.

The ceremony is set to take place at the Diamniadio Exhibition Centre, where Tinubu will join other regional leaders in attending the event.

Following the inauguration, President Tinubu will return to Nigeria. Senegal will be the fifth African country Tinubu has visited since assuming office 10 months ago and his 17th foreign destination overall.

In previous trips, Tinubu has traveled to various countries, including Paris, France; London, the United Kingdom; Bissau, Guinea-Bissau; Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Novo, Benin Republic; New Delhi, India; Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates; New York, USA; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Berlin, Germany; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and Doha, Qatar.