An investigative report has revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration acquired a refurbished Airbus A330 as the new presidential jet, sourced from Mid East Jet in Saudi Arabia.
The new aircraft, recently used for the President’s trip to France, replaces the aging 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ), which was originally purchased during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure.
According to findings by LEADERSHIP, the Airbus A330 had previously served with Mid East Jet between November 27, 2009, and May 25, 2012. It was later transferred to Constellah Aviation before returning to Mid East Jet in September 2014 and was eventually sold to Nigeria.
The federal government officially received the aircraft on Sunday, August 18, 2024. The plane, registered with the number 5N-FGA and HEX CODE 06430C, was delivered from a factory in France.
An aviation security expert, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed concerns over the maintenance costs associated with the Airbus A330 due to its age. The expert suggested that the government might have been better off purchasing a more modern and fuel-efficient aircraft, which would be easier and less expensive to maintain in Nigeria.
“The presidency should have opted for a Boeing Aircraft, which is easier to maintain within the country, rather than purchasing an Airbus. Additionally, for security reasons, it’s preferable to handle presidential fleet maintenance in-house, with the proper equipment and tools, rather than sending the aircraft overseas. This would avoid the added costs of crew accommodations, logistics, per diem, and the necessity of monitoring maintenance and security abroad,” the expert advised.
In response, the presidency stated that the new jet was purchased at a price significantly below market value, resulting in substantial savings on maintenance and fuel expenses, which could amount to millions of dollars annually.
The decision to replace the aging B737-700(BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by Nigeria’s parliament, which raised concerns about the plane’s safety and cost efficiency after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia. The Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended acquiring a new aircraft to reduce downtime and operational costs.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced on his X handle that the new plane is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, a customized interior, and advanced communication systems.
