A report has revealed that the Federal Government spent a staggering N19.43bn on the maintenance and operations of the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) from July 2023 to September 2024. This expenditure was highlighted through data from GovSpend, a civic tech platform tracking government spending.
In 2024, N13.55bn was allocated, accounting for 66% of the fleet’s budget for the year. Most of these funds were labeled as “Forex Transit Funds,” used to cover international operation costs such as fuel, maintenance, and services in foreign currencies.
Key disbursements include N1.52bn in July 2023 and N5.60bn in August 2024, with several payments made to the PAF’s naira transit account. Notably, in April 2024, N5.08bn was allocated when President Tinubu was on a two-nation tour. During this period, his Boeing 737 business jet was grounded for maintenance, and he had to continue the trip on a chartered plane.
The Presidential Air Fleet, which includes around 11 aircraft, has faced increasing costs due to aging planes. A new Airbus A330 was purchased for $100m in August 2024, replacing the older Boeing 737.
Defense officials and the administration have justified the high spending, emphasizing the need for the President’s safety and operational efficiency. However, critics, including anti-corruption activists, argue that such expenditures contrast with the nation’s financial challenges, especially in light of the rising cost of living.
The increase in allocations for the fleet, which rose from N4.37bn in 2017 to N20.52bn in 2024, is partly attributed to the age of the aircraft and inflation. Critics also highlight the commercial use of aircraft by the Nigerian Air Force and the increasing insecurity in the country, which has raised operational costs.
In response, the Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, defended the fleet’s operations, stressing that the new aircraft and high maintenance costs were in the public interest, not for the President’s personal use. However, some Nigerians remain concerned about the administration’s spending habits, particularly given the economic struggles many citizens face.