Outrage In Nigeria After Tinubu Acquired New Presidential Jet
Many Nigerians have expressed outrage after President Bola Tinubu purchased a new plane during the worst economic crisis in a generation.
The purchase comes less than two weeks after thousands marched across the country to protest rising hunger and living costs.
Mr Tinubu was elected last year to lead Africa’s most populous country, and he has implemented several economic reforms, including the elimination of fuel subsidies, which have contributed to high inflation, which is currently over 30%.
President Tinubu stated that the reforms were necessary to reduce government spending and promote long-term growth.
US President still using 34-year-Old plane but Nigeria abandoned 19-year-old aircraft
— Simple Media (@_Simplemedia) August 20, 2024
After weeks of silence, the Presidency unveiled the newly purchased Airbus A330, on Monday pic.twitter.com/AQBh8vjBkq
In January, the Nigerian president announced a 60 percent reduction in the size of official travel delegations, including his own entourage.
However, on Monday, the president flew to France aboard a newly acquired Airbus A330, the latest addition to the presidential fleet of more than five aircraft.
The plane’s cost, as well as the reason for his trip, have not been disclosed.
X user @Fdmlearn said it wasn’t right that Nigerians were being told to suffer economic hardship while the government purchased a new plane for the president.
“Wait so despite the Tinubu-led Government telling Nigerians to bear the economic hardship and wait for a better tomorrow, they were busy paying cash for a new private Jet to add to the presidential fleet that has over 6 aircrafts already?”.
Another X user @RealOlaudah was even angrier.
President Tinubu departs for France
— Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) August 19, 2024
President Tinubu departed Abuja Monday for Paris, France using the new Airbus A330, which replaced the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought under the Presidency of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The new plane, bought far below the market… pic.twitter.com/fxVj7dKWmW
“Let’s tell ourselves the truth. Tinubu’s new Airbus presidential aircraft purchase for N150 billion at a time of penury, hunger, and want shows how wicked, selfish, self-indulgent, and insensitive to the plight of the average Nigerian he really is.”
However, @Timi_The_Law says he supports the president’s decision because the plane belongs to the president’s office rather than his personal property.
Tinubu's decision to buy a new plane is the right one.
— Timi The Law ⚖️ (@Timi_The_Law) August 20, 2024
The plane belongs to the office of the president, and future presidents will enjoy it.
The safety of our commander-in-chief is non-negotiable and Nigeria gets to save money in the long-run.
“Tinubu’s decision to buy a new plane is the right one. The plane belongs to the office of the president, and future presidents will enjoy it,” he posted.
It is unclear whether lawmakers approved the purchase, which was not mentioned in this year’s budget.
In a statement on X, President Tinubu’s media adviser Bayo Onanuga stated that the new plane would actually save money.
“The new plane bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly,” the statement read in part.
The new presidential jet was recently returned to the Nigerian government after being seized by a Chinese company, Zhangson Investment Co. Ltd.
Zhangson had obtained a Paris court order to seize some Nigerian government assets as a result of an investment dispute with the state of Ogun in southwest Nigeria.
The 15-year-old plane, valued at $600 million (£460 million), is said to have an elaborate VIP configuration and will replace the country’s 19-year-old Boeing BBJ 737-700.
Nigerian officials have previously stated that the presidential fleet’s maintenance costs were high due to the age of the aircraft.
In June, lawmakers recommended that the president and his deputy buy two new aircraft because the old ones were unsafe.
Last month, lawmakers approved a supplementary budget that aimed to increase the 2024 budget from 28.7 trillion naira ($18 billion; £14 billion) to 35.06 trillion naira.
It is unclear whether the purchase of the new plane was included in this budget.
The BBC has contacted the Senate President and the Office of the National Security Adviser but has yet to receive a response.
Outrage In Nigeria After Tinubu Acquired New Presidential Jet
