A recent report has revealed that Nigeria’s government spent about N19.43 billion on the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) over 15 months, from July 2023 to September 2024.
According to GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks government expenses, the funds were largely used to maintain and operate the fleet, especially during international trips by President Bola Tinubu and other officials.
In 2024 alone, N13.55 billion was spent on the fleet, covering about 66% of the year’s total allocation. Most of this money went towards “Forex Transit Funds,” which is used to meet foreign exchange needs for trips outside Nigeria.
These funds help cover expenses like fuel, maintenance, and other services paid for in foreign currencies. An official explained, “When aircraft on the fleet are abroad, payments are often made in U.S. dollars or another foreign currency to ensure uninterrupted operations.”
Several large payments were made throughout the period. In July 2023, N1.52 billion was disbursed, followed by N3.1 billion in August. August 2024 saw the highest number of transactions, with N5.6 billion released in six different payments.
During a tour in April 2024 to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, President Tinubu had to switch to a chartered plane due to technical issues with his official jet. Shortly after, the government purchased a nearly 15-year-old Airbus A330 for $100 million to replace the older Boeing 737 business jet.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, defended the purchase, explaining that the new plane would help reduce maintenance and fuel costs and was bought “in the interest of Nigerians.” He clarified that “It’s not President Tinubu’s plane; it belongs to the people of Nigeria.”
The Presidential Air Fleet, one of the largest in Africa, has about 11 aircraft, including Gulfstream, Falcon, and Agusta models. Some of these planes, which are operated by the Nigerian Air Force, have reportedly become difficult to maintain due to age, leading to the government’s decision to upgrade part of the fleet.
