‘Newly Acquired’ Presidential Jet Sent to South Africa for Repainting, Refurbishment

The newly acquired Airbus A330 presidential jet has been flown to South Africa for refurbishment and to receive new livery reflecting the office of the Nigerian President. This comes amid revelations that at least N20.03bn was spent on the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) between July 2023 and December 2024, with N14.15bn disbursed in 2024 alone, representing 71 per cent of the year’s allocation.

According to data from civic tech platform GovSpend, which monitors government expenditure, most of the disbursements were tagged “Forex Transit Funds,” used to support foreign exchange-based operations such as fuel purchases and maintenance while aircraft are abroad. The cost of maintaining Nigeria’s presidential fleet has soared over the years, reflecting both the age of the aircraft and the impact of currency devaluation.

The Airbus A330-200, acquired for \$100m in August 2024 through service-wide votes, was introduced to replace the aging Boeing 737 business jet, which had become expensive to maintain. The plane, built nearly 15 years ago and previously owned, was described by President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, as spacious and equipped with advanced avionics and communications systems. He noted that its acquisition would significantly reduce annual maintenance and fuel costs.

Despite the purchase, President Bola Tinubu has been using a San Marino-registered Boeing Business Jet (T7-NAS) since February 2025, as the new Airbus undergoes livery and interior upgrades. Sources confirmed that the aircraft was flown to South Africa to repaint its body in national colours and for additional interior refurbishments.

The PAF currently includes around 11 aircraft, making it one of the largest in Africa. These include a Gulfstream G500, two Falcon 7Xs, a Challenger 605, and several rotor-wing helicopters. At least three fixed-wing aircraft are reportedly unserviceable. The older Boeing 737, acquired during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, cost \$43m but became increasingly costly to maintain.

Budgetary allocations for the fleet have surged in recent years—from N4.37bn in 2017 to N20.52bn in 2024. In 2022, maintenance costs per aircraft ranged between \$1.5m and \$4.5m annually. A temporary drop in 2020 due to the pandemic was reversed by a sharp rise in 2021 and continued increases through subsequent years.

In one instance during a 2024 foreign trip, the President had to charter a private plane after the official Gulfstream G550 developed a technical fault, underscoring the need for more reliable aircraft. Vice President Kashim Shettima also had to abort travel plans to the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa after a foreign object cracked the cockpit windshield of his jet during a stopover in New York. Experts estimate the cost of such windshield repairs can range from \$50,000 to \$70,000.

Aviation experts have linked the rising costs to the age of aircraft, the weakening naira, and higher insurance premiums driven by Nigeria’s insecurity challenges. Industry professionals also point out that foreign repairs—including crew training, part replacement, and C-checks—are dollar-denominated, adding to the expenditure.

Critics, including civil society leaders, have raised concerns about the administration’s spending priorities amid widespread poverty. Debo Adeniran of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership criticized the administration for excessive spending, stating that expectations of fiscal restraint have not been met. However, others, like security expert John Ojikutu, argue that such expenses are standard when factoring in fuel, hotel bills, and other logistics.

Defending the decision to acquire the refurbished jet, Onanuga emphasized that the aircraft is public property, not for the President’s personal comfort. He stated that ensuring the President’s safety on international travels should be a priority, particularly given the age and high maintenance costs of the older fleet.