The Federal Government allocated a total of N19.43 billion to maintain and operate the Presidential Air Fleet from July 2023 to September 2024, according to a new report on GovSpend, a civic platform that monitors government expenditures.
For the 2024 fiscal year alone, fleet expenses reached N13.55 billion, making up 66% of the year’s budgeted allocation for the Presidential Air Fleet. Most payments were listed as “Forex Transit Funds,” which are essential for handling foreign transactions related to the fleet’s international operations, covering fuel, maintenance, and other services paid in foreign currencies.
“When fleet aircraft operate abroad, payments are often made in U.S. dollars or another foreign currency to ensure seamless operations,” a government official noted. In July 2023, for instance, N1.52 billion was disbursed in two tranches for these transit funds, followed by an additional N3.1 billion in August.
In 2024, significant allocations continued with N2.54 billion released in March, N6.35 billion in April, and N4.97 billion in May. The highest transaction activity occurred in August, with six disbursements totaling N5.6 billion, though the records lack clear labeling beyond their deposit into the fleet’s naira transit account.
The funds have been used not only for regular operations but also for unforeseen expenses. In April, during President Tinubu’s visit to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, technical issues grounded his official jet, a Boeing 737 business jet. The President completed his travels on a chartered plane, while the government later purchased a used Airbus A330 for $100 million to replace the aging jet, citing its advanced avionics and cost-saving benefits.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, argued that the aircraft’s maintenance costs benefit Nigerians, not just the presidency. He explained, “It’s not President Tinubu’s plane; it’s Nigeria’s property… The President did not buy a new jet; it’s a refurbished jet and much newer than the previous one.”
Despite the new purchase, the fleet remains among the largest in Africa, with around 11 aircraft. Some older models have proven costly to maintain, leading to increased fleet expenses. The budget allocation for the fleet has steadily risen from N4.37 billion in 2017 to N20.52 billion in 2024, reflecting the growing costs of operating older planes and the depreciating value of the naira.
Critics argue that the administration’s spending contradicts the expected frugality during economic hardship. Debo Adeniran, Executive Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, expressed disappointment, saying, “What we are getting from this administration is profligacy… an administration that doesn’t see anything wrong in living big amid a poverty-stricken nation.”
In response, government representatives pointed to operational needs and the rising cost of maintaining and securing the aircraft. Aviation expert Olumide Ohunayo highlighted that as the naira weakens, foreign currency expenditures increase, particularly for training, maintenance, and security due to heightened terrorism and insecurity concerns.
With Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet serving both the president and vice president, questions of cost and necessity remain pressing, as the government grapples with balancing operational requirements and public expectations for fiscal responsibility.
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