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Many Nigerians are outraged that President Bola Tinubu has bought a new plane at a time when the country’s economy is in its worst crisis in decades.
The purchase comes less than two weeks after thousands took to the streets across the country to protest hunger and rising living costs.
Mr Tinubu, elected last year to lead Africa’s most populous nation, has introduced a number of economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, which have contributed to high inflation, now above 30 per cent.
President Tinubu said the reforms were necessary to cut government spending and stimulate long-term growth.
In January, Nigeria’s president announced he would reduce the size of official travel delegations, including his own entourage, by 60%.
However, on Monday, the president flew to France on a newly acquired Airbus A330, the latest addition to the presidential fleet of more than five aircraft.
The cost of the plane and the reason for his trip have not been disclosed.
X User @Fdmlearn said it is not right for the government to buy a new plane for the president while letting Nigerians suffer economically.
“Wait, while the Tinubu-led government is telling Nigerians to endure economic hardships and wait for a better tomorrow, they are busy using their cash to buy new private jets to join the presidential fleet that already has over 6 aircraft?”
Another X user, @RealOlaudah, was even more angry.
“Let’s be honest. At a time when Nigerians are living in poverty, hunger and deprivation, Tinubu spent N150 billion on a new Airbus presidential jet, which shows how evil, selfish, self-indulgent and indifferent he is to the plight of ordinary Nigerians.”
However, @Timi_The_Law said he supports the president’s decision as the plane is not private but belongs to the office of the president.
“Tinubu made the right decision to buy a new plane. This plane belongs to the Office of the President and future presidents will love it,” he posted.
It was not immediately clear whether lawmakers approved the purchase, and it was not mentioned in this year’s budget.
In a statement released on X, President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said the new aircraft would actually save money.
“This new aircraft, purchased at well below market price, has saved Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs amounting to millions of dollars annually,” the statement read in part.
The new presidential plane was recently seized by a Chinese company, Zhangsong Investment Ltd, which obtained a Paris court order to seize some Nigerian government assets following an investment dispute with Ogun State in southwestern Nigeria. The plane was subsequently handed over to the Nigerian government.
The 15-year-old aircraft, which has a market value of $600 million (£460 million), is said to be configured specifically for VIPs and will replace the country’s 19-year-old Boeing BBJ 737-700.
Nigerian officials have previously stated that the presidential plane has high maintenance costs due to its age.
In June, lawmakers recommended buying two new planes for the president and vice president, saying the old ones 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 is not clear whether the cost of purchasing new aircraft is included in the budget.
The BBC has contacted the Senate president and the national security adviser’s office but has yet to receive a response.
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