FG Spent N14.77bn on Presidential Jets in 11 Months — State House Report

The Federal Government of Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu, has disbursed a total of N14.77 billion for the repair and maintenance of the presidential air fleet over the past 11 months. This information was revealed in a recent report from the State House, confirming that these expenditures were processed through the State House headquarters’ transit account, labeled ‘Presidential Air Fleet Transit Funds’.

Detailed Expenditures

The payments, made in 11 tranches between July 16, 2023, and May 25, 2024, come amid ongoing plans by the National Assembly to approve the purchase of two new aircraft. This decision follows the discovery that the President’s 19-year-old Boeing 737 and several other fleet aircraft were dysfunctional.

The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has advocated for the purchase of these new aircraft, estimating the cost to be over $623.4 million (approximately N918.7 billion). The committee emphasized the necessity of this expenditure, citing the fragile state of the current fleet and the critical importance of the President’s and Vice President’s safety.

Current Fleet and Historical Spending

The Presidency currently operates six aircraft and six helicopters. Historical spending on the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) has been significant, with former President Buhari’s administration allocating a total of N62.47 billion over eight years. Despite promises to reduce the fleet size, allocations steadily increased over his tenure.

In the first year of Tinubu’s administration alone, N14.77 billion has been approved for maintenance. Detailed disbursements include:

July 2023: N1.52 billion
August 2023: N3.1 billion
November 2023: N1.26 billion
March 2024: N2.54 billion
April 2024: N6.35 billion
May 2024: N1.27 billion

Justification for New Aircraft

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, defended the necessity of procuring new aircraft. He highlighted the importance of the President’s safety, questioning the opposition’s criticism and stressing that maintaining a functional and safe presidential fleet is a basic requirement for any government.

Opposition Reactions

The proposal for new aircraft has sparked significant backlash from opposition parties, including the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, criticized the expenditure as a luxury the nation cannot afford amid economic hardships. He suggested refurbishing the existing fleet rather than purchasing new aircraft.

The NNPP echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the inappropriateness of the timing given the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians. Spokesperson Ladipo Johnson pointed out the contradiction between the government’s cost-cutting promises and the approval of such substantial expenditures.

Expert Opinions

Aviation experts have weighed in on the issue with differing perspectives. Dr. Kingsley Nwokeoma, President of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria, acknowledged the necessity for the President to have reliable aircraft but urged moderation and accountability given the economic climate.

Conversely, Mr. John Ojikutu, another aviation expert, argued that the amount spent on repairs was reasonable, estimating that the maintenance costs align with international standards for such a fleet size.

The debate over the presidential air fleet expenditures reflects broader concerns about fiscal responsibility and governance priorities in Nigeria. As the government moves forward with its plans, the scrutiny from opposition parties and the public will likely continue, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the management of national resources.