The Nigerian federal government has allocated a total of N90 billion to the presidential air fleets over a nine-year period. This significant allocation has raised concerns about the government’s financial priorities and the responsible use of public funds.
During the first four years of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, N20.42 billion was allocated for the presidential fleets, which doubled to N41 billion in his second term.
In the 2023 supplementary budget proposal presented by President Bola Tinubu, the Presidential Air Fleet is set to receive an additional N12.7 billion, bringing the total allocation to N25.7 billion, including the previously approved N13 billion.
The presidential air fleet, often referred to as Nigeria Air Force One, consists of various aircraft, including Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) 737, Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G500, Falcon 7X, HS 4000, Agusta 139, and Agusta 101.
Notably, President Buhari had pledged in 2015 to reduce the cost of governance and planned to sell two luxury aircraft, but the sale process faced challenges, and preferred bidders sought to renegotiate the sales figure.
Budget allocations for the presidential air fleet have fluctuated over the years, with notable increases in 2017, 2018, and 2019, reaching N7.26 billion and N7.30 billion, respectively. A slight drop occurred in 2020 due to the global lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an allocation of N6.79 billion. However, in the years following the pandemic, the allocation increased significantly, reaching N12.55 billion in 2021 and N12.48 billion in 2022.
Experts have raised concerns about the rising budget allocation for the presidential air fleet in light of economic challenges, inflation, and unemployment. They emphasize the need for transparency and accountability in the use of public assets.
This news highlights the significant budget allocations to Nigeria’s presidential air fleet and the concerns raised by experts about the responsible use of public funds in tight economic times.
