In a move that has stirred significant public interest and controversy, President Bola Tinubu’s newly acquired N150 billion Airbus A330 Presidential Jet touched down at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday evening. The luxurious aircraft, which departed from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg in France at 4:16 PM, landed in the Nigerian capital at 8:29 PM, just in time for the President’s upcoming trip to France.
President Tinubu is scheduled to depart Abuja on Monday, August 19, for a brief work visit to France, marking the first official use of the new presidential jet. The news of the aircraft’s arrival was confirmed by a statement from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, emphasizing that the jet will be the mode of transport for the President’s journey.
The arrival of the Airbus A330, which has been the subject of much speculation and debate, comes after it was reportedly one of three Nigerian presidential jets confiscated by a French court. The seizure, which was in favor of the Chinese firm Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, stemmed from a legal dispute involving the Ogun State Government. However, in what the Chinese company described as a goodwill gesture, the aircraft was released just ahead of President Tinubu’s planned meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited’s decision to release the aircraft was portrayed as a diplomatic effort to ensure the success of the upcoming high-level meeting between the two leaders. The company acknowledged the aircraft’s importance for the diplomatic engagement, facilitating its availability to the Nigerian government.
This development follows a series of reports by SaharaReporters, which tracked the aircraft’s presence in France and its preparation for delivery to Nigeria. The Airbus A330-200, with tail registration 5N-FGA, is described as a state-of-the-art VIP aircraft, featuring luxury amenities such as a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, an office, a conference and dining room, and both first-class and economy seating at the rear. The aircraft’s acquisition, reportedly from a German bank after an Arab prince defaulted on a multi-million-dollar loan, has raised questions about the Nigerian government’s spending priorities amidst ongoing economic challenges.
The purchase of the new presidential jet has sparked controversy, particularly given the country’s current economic climate. Critics argue that the N150 billion expenditure is ill-timed, with Nigeria facing record inflation and widespread financial difficulties. The luxury and cost associated with the new jet have been met with public scrutiny, as many Nigerians grapple with economic hardship.
Adding to the intrigue, Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, expressed skepticism about the entire situation. In a post on his X account, Sowore questioned the legitimacy of the reported jet seizure and subsequent release, suggesting that the events might have been orchestrated to generate sympathy and justify the acquisition of the new aircraft. Sowore’s pointed critique raises concerns about transparency and the true motivations behind the aircraft’s release and President Tinubu’s impending trip to France.
As President Tinubu prepares to embark on his journey, the controversy surrounding the new Airbus A330 continues to unfold. The decision to invest in such an extravagant aircraft has ignited a debate about the priorities of the Nigerian government, especially in light of the economic struggles faced by many citizens. The public will be closely watching the outcomes of both the President’s trip and the broader implications of this high-profile acquisition.