- Nigeria’s new presidential jet has just arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The luxury aircraft, an Airbus A330, landed at precisely 8:29 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2024.
Valued at a massive N150 billion, the jet’s arrival comes right before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled trip to France. He is expected to leave Abuja on Monday, August 19, for a brief visit to France and return to Nigeria shortly after.
This Airbus A330 was previously involved in a legal dispute. It was one of three presidential jets seized by a French court due to a disagreement between the Ogun State Government and a Chinese company.
The Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, had taken possession of the aircraft as part of a legal settlement. However, in a gesture of goodwill, the company decided to release the jet to Nigeria, especially in light of President Tinubu’s upcoming meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Before being acquired by the Nigerian government, the jet was owned by a German bank, which had repossessed it from an Arab prince who had failed to repay a substantial loan.
The new presidential jet is outfitted with a range of high-end features. Inside, it boasts a luxurious bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, an office space, and a conference and dining area. The seating arrangements include first-class and economy-class options, similar to those found on commercial airlines. These features are designed to ensure comfort and functionality for the President during long flights.
