Contrary to widespread assumptions, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has not acquired a brand-new official jet, but rather a refurbished one, according to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. In an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television, Onanuga explained that the newly acquired Airbus A330 is meant to address the costly maintenance issues associated with older jets in the presidential fleet, which includes a 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 originally purchased during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Onanuga emphasized that the jet is a national asset, “belonging to the people of Nigeria,” and not President Tinubu’s personal property. The spokesman pointed out that the newly added Airbus, which was pre-owned but well-maintained, offers a more reliable alternative to the aging aircraft, which has been costly to maintain. The older Boeing reportedly encountered operational issues during Tinubu’s visit to Saudi Arabia, necessitating the use of a chartered jet to continue to The Netherlands.
Highlighting the importance of prioritizing the President’s safety, Onanuga added that the refurbished jet will be available for use by Tinubu’s successors as well. He clarified that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, also recognized the need for an upgrade, citing excessive maintenance expenses for the aging fleet.
Onanuga’s statements follow a series of recent directives by Tinubu’s administration aimed at streamlining governance costs, including reducing the size of ministers’ convoys and the number of aides.
