This information was confirmed by Punch, which reported that the payments were processed through the State House headquarters transit account designated as the ‘Presidential Air Fleet Transit Funds’.
The payments were made in 11 tranches between July 16, 2023, and May 25, 2024, highlighting the ongoing need for extensive maintenance of the fleet.
This comes as the National Assembly considers approving the purchase of two new aircraft due to the ageing and dysfunctionality of the current fleet, including a 19-year-old Boeing 737 used by the President.
The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has supported the procurement of new aircraft. Their technical subcommittee report estimates the cost at over $623.4 million (approximately N918.7 billion).
The committee’s report emphasizes the importance of reliable and safe aircraft for the highest offices in the country, suggesting that the long-term cost efficiency and safety provided by new aircraft justify the investment.
“The committee is of the strong and informed opinion that considering the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and recognizing the dire consequences of any foreseen or unforeseen mishap that may arise as a result of technical/operational inadequacy of the Presidential Air Fleet, it is in the best interest of the country to procure two additional aircraft as recommended.
“This will also prove to be most cost-efficient in the long run, aside from the added advantage of providing a suitable, comfortable, and safe carrier befitting the status and responsibilities of the offices of the President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the report stated.
The state of the current air fleet has led to operational challenges for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. On May 6, 2024, Vice President Shettima abandoned a trip to the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit due to a technical fault with his official aircraft.
Similarly, President Tinubu had to use a commercial flight for a trip to Saudi Arabia after his main jet was taken for repairs and a second aircraft developed issues in The Netherlands.
The Presidency’s current fleet includes a Boeing 737, a Gulfstream G550, a Gulfstream GV, two Falcon 7Xs, a Challenger CL605, and six helicopters—two Agusta 139s and four Agusta 189s.
During former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, the government spent N62.47 billion on the operation and maintenance of the PAF over eight years.
Despite promises to reduce the size of the fleet, the Buhari administration saw fluctuating budget allocations for the PAF, ranging from N3.65 billion in 2016 to a peak of N12.55 billion in 2021.
Under Tinubu’s administration, N14.77 billion has been disbursed within one year for fleet maintenance, with notable payments including N1.52 billion in July 2023, N3.1 billion in August, and N6.35 billion in April 2024.
This amount is separate from the expenses incurred for foreign and local trips by the President, Vice President, and other officials.
