Nigerians have expressed widespread outrage after President Bola Tinubu acquired a new presidential plane, at a time when the country is facing its worst economic crisis in a generation.
The move has sparked criticism, coming just two weeks after thousands of citizens took to the streets to protest against the rising cost of living and widespread hunger.
Elected last year to lead Africa’s most populous nation, President Tinubu has introduced several economic reforms aimed at reducing government spending, including the controversial removal of fuel subsidies.
While these measures have been touted as necessary for long-term growth, they have exacerbated inflation, which currently exceeds 30%, further straining the pockets of ordinary Nigerians.
In January, Tinubu announced a 60% reduction in the size of official travel delegations, including his own, as part of efforts to cut government expenses.
However, on Monday, he departed for France aboard a newly acquired Airbus A330, a plane that adds to the presidential fleet of more than five aircraft. The cost of the plane, as well as the details of his trip, remain undisclosed.
This has led to mounting anger, with many questioning whether the plane purchase had been approved by lawmakers, especially since it was not mentioned in this year’s budget. Critics argue that the acquisition contradicts the president’s message of fiscal restraint and comes at a time when many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities.
In defense of the decision, President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain that the new plane would actually result in cost savings. “The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly,” Onanuga stated.
The 15-year-old Airbus A330, which has been configured for VIP use, replaces the country’s aging 19-year-old Boeing BBJ 737-700. The purchase follows the release of the plane to the Nigerian government after it was previously seized by a Chinese firm, Zhangson Investment Co. Limited, due to an investment dispute with Ogun state in southwest Nigeria. Nigerian officials had previously raised concerns over the high maintenance costs of the aging presidential fleet, which had prompted calls for new aircraft.
In June, lawmakers recommended the purchase of two new planes for the president and his deputy, citing safety concerns over the older planes in the fleet. Last month, they passed a supplementary budget that increased the 2024 national budget from 28.7 trillion naira ($18bn; £14bn) to 35.06 trillion naira, though it is unclear whether the new plane purchase was part of this allocation.
Despite government reassurances that the acquisition would save money in the long run, many Nigerians remain furious, viewing the purchase as ill-timed and insensitive given the current economic hardships faced by the population.