Lavish Spending Exposed: Nigerian Presidents Blow ₦214 Billion On Air Travel!

A new controversy has emerged over the Federal Government’s decision to purchase two additional aircraft for the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF), as recent findings show that an astounding ₦214 billion has been spent on maintaining and expanding the fleet since the start of the Fourth Republic in 1999………CONTINUE READING

A detailed review by Sunday Vanguard reveals that this expenditure spans the tenures of five presidents, from ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo to the current President Bola Tinubu. The figures have sparked intense debate among the public and critics, who question the government’s fiscal priorities amid pressing national needs.

Critics argue that the substantial funds could have been better allocated to critical sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure, especially given the country’s ongoing economic challenges.

The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recently approved the acquisition of two new jets, citing the ageing state of the current 19-year-old Boeing 737 and other aircraft in the fleet. The estimated cost of each new plane exceeds $623.4 million, approximately ₦918.7 billion, further fueling the debate on government spending.

The PAF, managed by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), comprises 10 aircraft, including models such as the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) 737 and Gulfstream G550. These aircraft are used to transport the President, Vice President, and other top officials, symbolizing national prestige. However, this symbol comes with high maintenance and operational costs, exacerbated by periodic upgrades and the addition of new aircraft with each administration.

While the government views the PAF as a necessary tool for national security and international diplomacy, many Nigerians see it as an extravagant expense amidst the country’s financial woes.

According to Vanguard, budget allocations for the PAF have fluctuated over the years. For instance, the Federal Government under Tinubu earmarked ₦20.5 billion in the 2024 budget for the PAF, while ₦12.7 billion and ₦13 billion were allocated in the 2023 supplementary budget and the 2023 budget, respectively. Findings also reveal that ₦14.77 billion was disbursed for the repair and maintenance of the presidential aircraft over 11 months, with payments made in 11 tranches between July 2023 and May 2024.

The Muhammadu Buhari administration spent ₦69.06 billion on fleet operation and maintenance over eight years. During Buhari’s first four years, ₦20.42 billion was allocated for the presidential fleet, which doubled in his second term to ₦41 billion. In 2016, ₦3.65 billion was allocated, with increases in subsequent years reaching ₦7.30 billion in 2019. A slight drop occurred in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but allocations surged to ₦12.55 billion and ₦12.48 billion in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Similarly, Goodluck Jonathan’s administration spent ₦42.18 billion on PAF between 2011 and 2015. Allocations during his tenure included ₦17.98 billion in 2011 and ₦3.54 billion in 2012.

Budgetary allocations for the presidential fleet from 2011 to 2024 amount to ₦144.44 billion. While records for allocations under Obasanjo and Yar’Adua (1999 to 2000) were not immediately available, sources estimate they averaged ₦7 billion per year, totaling approximately ₦70 billion over 10 years.

In summary, estimated allocations to PAF since 1999 are around ₦214 billion.

A breakdown of budgetary allocations from 2011 to 2024 is as follows: