Nigeria Presidency The new presidential planeNigeria Presidency
President Tinubu travelled to France on the new plane
Many Nigerians have reacted with outrage after a new plane was bought for President Bola Tinubu at a time when the economy is experiencing its worst crisis in a generation.
The purchase comes less than two weeks after thousands took to the streets across the country to protest at rising hunger and the cost of living.
Elected last year to lead Africa’s most populous country, Mr Tinubu has introduced several economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, which have contributed to high inflation, currently over 30%.
President Tinubu said the reforms were necessary to cut government spending and stimulate long-term growth.
In January, the Nigerian president announced a 60% reduction in the size of official travel delegations, including his own entourage.
However on Monday, the president departed for France using a newly acquired Airbus A330, which has become the latest addition to the presidential fleet of more than five aircraft.
The cost of the plane has not been disclosed, and nor has the reason for his trip.
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X user @Fdmlearn said it wasn’t right that Nigerians were being told to undergo economic pain while the government was buying a new plane for the president.
“Wait so despite the Tinubu led Government telling Nigerians to bear the economic hardship and wait for a better tomorrow, they were busy paying cash for a new private Jet to add to the presidential fleet that has over 6 aircraft’s already?”.
Another X user @RealOlaudah was even more angry.
“Let’s tell ourselves the truth. Tinubu’s new Airbus presidential aircraft purchase for N150 billion at a time of penury, hunger, and want shows how wicked, selfish, self-indulgent, and insensitive to the plight of the average Nigerian he really is.”
However, @Timi_The_Law says he supports the president’s decision as the plane is not personal but belongs to the office of the president.
“Tinubu’s decision to buy a new plane is the right one. The plane belongs to the office of the president, and future presidents will enjoy it,” he posted.
It is not known if lawmakers approved the purchase, which was not mentioned in this year’s budget.
In a statement on X, President Tinubu’s media aide Bayo Onanuga said the new plane would actually save money.
“The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly,” the statement read in part.
The new presidential jet was recently released to the Nigerian government after it was seized by a Chinese firm, Zhangson Investment Co. Limited, which obtained a Paris court order to seize some Nigerian government assets following an investment dispute with Ogun state in south-west Nigeria.
The 15-year-old plane is said to have an elaborate configuration for VIPs and replaces the country’s 19-year-old Boeing BBJ 737-700.
Nigerian officials have previously said that the presidential fleet had a high maintenance cost due to the age of its planes.
In June, lawmakers recommended the purchase of two new aircraft for the president and his deputy, saying the old ones were not safe.
Last month, lawmakers passed a supplementary budget, which sought to raise the 2024 budget from 28.7 trillion naira ($18bn; £14bn) to 35.06 trillion naira.
It is not known if the purchase of the new plane was included in this budget.
The BBC has reached out to the Senate President and the Office of the National Security Adviser but is yet to get a response.
SaharaReporters learnt that the aircraft touched down at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday evening, after departing from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg in France at 4:16 pm and landing in Abuja at 8:29 pm.
President Bola Tinubu will embark on a trip to France on Monday, August 19, departing from Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The President will return to the country after his brief work stay in France, a statement signed by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity said on Sunday.
The President will travel on the newly acquired luxury Airbus A330 aircraft, which landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 8.29 pm on Sunday.
SaharaReporters reported earlier on Sunday that the aircraft touched down at Abuja airport on Sunday evening, after departing from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg in France at 4:16 pm.
This followed the release of the aircraft, which was one of the three presidential jets recently confiscated by a French court in favour of a Chinese firm over a dispute with Ogun State Government.
SaharaReporters reported on Friday that Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited had announced the release of one of the three presidential aircraft belonging to Nigeria, which had been detained in France.
The Chinese company characterized the release of the aircraft as a goodwill gesture, citing the upcoming meeting between President Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The company stated that it recognized the significance of the aircraft for the diplomatic engagement and took steps to ensure its availability, thereby facilitating the meeting.
In July, SaharaReporters reported the aircraft was in France and had been spotted at an advanced stage of preparation. The plane had been assigned a tail registration featuring the seal of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and was ready for delivery.
The aircraft in question is an ACJ330-200, VP-CAC (msn 1053), registered as 5N-FGA.
It features a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom at the front, followed by an office and a conference and dining room. It also has an airline-style first-class and economy seating at the rear.
SaharaReporters on June 28 reported that the Nigerian government planned to spend over N150 billion on a new presidential jet, a move that sparked controversy.
The proposed expenditure came under scrutiny as the nation grappled with economic challenges and record inflation.
The Airbus A330 aircraft, was reportedly in possession of a German bank, and was acquired following a default on a multi-million-dollar loan by an Arab prince and businessman.
The A330 combines new-generation engines, aerodynamic and other improvements to deliver even more comfort and efficiency. Designed for highly-demanding VIP and private markets, the aircraft delivers top-end luxury, comfort and range.
On Friday, Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, alleged that the reported seizure of the country’s presidential jets by the Chinese company was a staged event.
The former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress raised questions about the release of one of the three presidential aircraft seized by a French court over a dispute between a Chinese firm and the Ogun State government.
He expressed skepticism in a post on his X account on Friday, asking why the Chinese company was selectively choosing which jet President Tinubu would use for his ‘medical trip’ from Abuja to France.
He wrote, “There is something fishy going on with these Presidential Jet seizures in France.
“It looks like this part was arranged to launch the new Presidential Jet with “sympathy.”
“Suddenly, this Chinese company is picking and choosing which jet could pick @officialABAT up in Abuja to France on an apparent medical trip.
“Clearly staged!”