According to LEADERSHIP, President Bola Tinubu’s new Presidential Jet is a refurbished aircraft purchased from Mid East Jet in Saudi Arabia.
President Tinubu flew to France using the Airbus A330, which succeeded the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) acquired during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure.
However, research revealed that the Airbus A330 was initially operated by a Middle Eastern airline from November 27, 2009, to May 25, 2012. In May 2012, the airline transferred it to Constellah Aviation.
The A330 was returned to Mid East Jet on September 24th, 2014, before being sold to Nigeria.
The federal government received the aircraft from a factory in France on Sunday, August 18, 2024, with the registration number 5N-FGA and HEX CODE 06430C, as per the investigation.
According to the newspaper, an aviation security expert claimed that due to the plane’s age, its maintenance would be more expensive.
The expert, who wished to remain anonymous because of his role in the aviation industry, stated that the government should have purchased more advanced equipment that would be more efficient and economical in the long term, with lower fuel consumption.
“The presidency should have acquired a Boeing Aircraft that is easier to maintain in the country than purchasing an Airbus. Also, for security reasons too, presidential fleet aircraft maintenance too are better and safer being complied with in-house, providing the right equipment and tooling for this instead of overseas where the crew hotel accommodations, logistics, per diem and others are all inclusive because they have to be there and monitor the maintenance and security assurance.”
Meanwhile, the presidency had said that the new plane was bought far below the market price, saving Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.
“The recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by Nigeria’s parliament that questioned the plane’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
“The Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses. The new plane is spacious and is furnished with the state-of-the-art avionics, customised interior and communications system,” Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, posted the information on his X handle.
