In a move to modernize Nigeria’s presidential fleet, President Bola Tinubu has acquired a refurbished official jet. This announcement was made by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, during an interview on Channels Television’s program, Inside Sources. The acquisition aims to address the high maintenance costs and poor conditions of older jets currently in use.
Onanuga highlighted that several aircraft in the presidential fleet are outdated and in disrepair. One notable example is a 19-year-old Boeing B737-700, which was purchased under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. This aircraft has become increasingly costly to maintain, raising concerns about its reliability for presidential travel. Onanuga noted that the maintenance expenses for these aging jets have become “outrageous,” prompting the need for a more sustainable solution.
Instead of pouring funds into the repair of these older planes, President Tinubu sought the approval of the National Assembly to acquire a refurbished jet that remains in good condition. This decision reflects a pragmatic approach to managing state resources effectively. Onanuga stressed that the newly acquired jet is not a brand-new aircraft but a refurbished one, meaning it has been previously owned and used. However, he emphasized that it is a much newer model compared to the jet used by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
A key point made by Onanuga is that the refurbished jet is the property of the Nigerian people, not a personal asset of the president. He stated, “It is our property; the president won’t take it along after leaving office.” This assertion aims to reinforce the idea that government resources should be used for the public good, rather than personal gain.
Onanuga also shared an incident where President Tinubu faced challenges during a trip to Saudi Arabia. During this journey, the older aircraft encountered technical problems, forcing the president to return home on a chartered jet to the Netherlands. Such incidents underscore the importance of having reliable transportation for the president, reinforcing the need for the refurbished jet.
