Many Nigerians are angry at the purchase of a new plane for President Bola Tinubu at a time when the country’s economy is going through its worst crisis in a generation.
Less than two weeks ago, thousands of people across the country took to the streets to protest rising hunger and the cost of living.
Mr Tinubu was elected leader of Africa’s most populous nation last year and has introduced a number of economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies that have contributed to high inflation now exceeding 30%.
President Tinubu said the reforms were necessary to cut government spending and stimulate long-term growth.
In January, Nigeria’s president announced a 60% reduction in the size of official tourist delegations, which include his own entourage.
On Monday, however, the president departed for France aboard a newly purchased Airbus A330, which became the latest addition to the presidential fleet of more than five aircraft.
The cost of the flight and the reason for his trip were not disclosed.
X User @Fdmlearn said it is not right that Nigerians are being subjected to financial pain while the government is buying new aircraft for the president.
“Wait a minute, while the Tinubu-led government is telling Nigerians to endure the economic hardship and wait for a better tomorrow, they are busy using cash to buy a new private jet to add to the presidential fleet that already has over 6 aircraft. Team?
Another X user, @RealOlaudah, was even more outraged.
“Let us tell ourselves the truth. Tinubu’s purchase of a new Airbus presidential jet for N150 billion at a time of poverty, hunger and deprivation shows how evil, selfish, self-indulgent and indifferent he is to ordinary Nigerians. indifferent to his plight.
However, @Timi_The_Law said he supports the president’s decision because the plane was not a private jet but belonged to the office of the president.
“Tinubu made the right decision to purchase a new aircraft. This aircraft belongs in the Office of the President and future presidents will love it,” he posted.
It’s unclear whether lawmakers approved the purchase, which was not mentioned in this year’s budget.
President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said in X’s statement that the new aircraft would actually save money.
“The new aircraft was purchased at a price well below the market price, saving Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, amounting to millions of dollars annually,” the statement read.
The new presidential plane was recently seized by a Chinese company, Zhang Sen Investment Co., Ltd., and later released to the Nigerian government. part of the government’s assets.
The 15-year-old aircraft, which has a market value of $600m (£460m), is said to offer a carefully designed configuration for VIPs and replaces the country’s 19-year-old Boeing BBJ 737-700.
Nigerian officials have previously said maintenance costs for the presidential fleet are high due to the aging of the aircraft.
In June, lawmakers recommended purchasing two new planes for the president and vice president, saying the older planes were unsafe.
Last month, lawmakers passed a supplementary budget seeking to increase the 2024 budget from 28.7 trillion naira ($18 billion; £14 billion) to 35.06 trillion naira.
It’s unclear whether purchasing new aircraft is included in that budget.
The BBC has contacted the Senate President and the Office of the National Security Adviser but has yet to receive a response.
