A wave of anger has swept across Nigeria following the acquisition of a new presidential plane by President Bola Tinubu during what many describe as the country’s worst economic crisis in a generation.
The purchase, which comes on the heels of widespread protests against rising hunger and the escalating cost of living, has sparked heated debate among Nigerians.
President Tinubu, elected last year to steer Africa’s most populous nation through turbulent times, has introduced a series of economic reforms aimed at reducing government spending and stimulating long-term growth. One of the most controversial of these reforms was the removal of fuel subsidies, a move that has driven inflation to over 30% and further strained the finances of ordinary Nigerians.
Despite the economic challenges facing the nation, President Tinubu justified the reforms, stating they were necessary to “cut down on government expenditure and lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth.” However, the timing of the recent purchase of an Airbus A330 for the presidential fleet has left many Nigerians questioning the president’s commitment to his own austerity measures.
In January, Tinubu announced a 60% reduction in the size of official travel delegations, including his own, as part of his government’s cost-cutting measures. However, on Monday, the president departed for France aboard the newly acquired Airbus A330, which is now part of the presidential fleet, already consisting of more than five aircraft. The cost of the plane and the purpose of the trip have not been disclosed, adding to public discontent.
Social media erupted with criticism following the news. One X user, @Fdmlearn, expressed disbelief, tweeting, “Wait, so despite the Tinubu-led Government telling Nigerians to bear the economic hardship and wait for a better tomorrow, they were busy paying cash for a new private jet to add to the presidential fleet that has over six aircraft already?”
Another user, @RealOlaudah, voiced even stronger sentiments, saying, “Let’s tell ourselves the truth. Tinubu’s new Airbus presidential aircraft purchase for N150 billion at a time of penury, hunger, and want shows how wicked, selfish, self-indulgent, and insensitive to the plight of the average Nigerian he really is.”
The outcry is particularly poignant given the recent protests that saw thousands of Nigerians take to the streets, decrying the skyrocketing cost of living and growing economic despair. The plane’s purchase appears, to many, to be at odds with the president’s earlier calls for sacrifice and austerity.
However, not everyone is critical of the decision. Some, like X user @Timi_The_Law, believe the president made the right choice. “Tinubu’s decision to buy a new plane is the right one. The plane belongs to the office of the president, and future presidents will enjoy it,” he posted, arguing that the acquisition is a long-term investment in the presidency’s operational efficiency.
President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, attempted to quell the controversy by explaining that the new plane was purchased below market value and would actually save the country money in the long run. “The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly,” Onanuga said in a statement on X.
The Airbus A330, recently released to the Nigerian government after being seized in a legal dispute with a Chinese firm, Zhangson Investment Co. Limited, replaces the country’s 19-year-old Boeing BBJ 737-700. The firm had previously obtained a court order in Paris to seize some Nigerian government assets following an investment dispute with Ogun state in southwest Nigeria.
Nigerian officials have long been concerned about the high maintenance costs associated with the aging presidential fleet. In June, lawmakers recommended purchasing two new aircraft for the president and his deputy, citing safety concerns due to the fleet’s age. Last month, lawmakers passed a supplementary budget, raising the 2024 budget from 28.7 trillion naira ($18bn; £14bn) to 35.06 trillion naira ($22bn; £17bn), but it remains unclear if the new plane’s purchase was included in this budget.
The lack of transparency surrounding the plane’s cost and the rationale behind its purchase has only fueled public outrage. The BBC has reached out to the Senate President and the Office of the National Security Adviser for comments but has yet to receive a response.
As the debate continues, the incident highlights the growing tension between the government’s fiscal policies and the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians, raising questions about the leadership’s priorities in these challenging times.
