The Nigerian government has acquired a new presidential jet, a refurbished Airbus A330, which was purchased from Mid East Jet, a company based in Saudi Arabia. President Bola Tinubu recently used the new aircraft for his trip to France, replacing the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 that was previously in the presidential fleet.
Leadership reported that the Airbus A330 has a history dating back to its first use by a Middle Eastern airline between November 2009 and May 2012. After changing hands a few times, it was eventually sold to Nigeria. The federal government officially took delivery of the plane on August 18, 2024, with the registration number 5N-FGA, from a factory in France.
The acquisition of this older aircraft has raised concerns among aviation experts. One expert, who wished to remain anonymous, pointed out that maintaining the Airbus A330 might be more expensive due to its age.
“The government should have considered buying a more modern aircraft that would be cheaper to maintain and have lower fuel consumption,” the expert suggested.
He also noted that a Boeing aircraft might have been a better choice for Nigeria, as it would be easier to maintain domestically, without the need for costly overseas servicing.
Despite these concerns, the presidency has defended the purchase, stating that the new jet was acquired at a price significantly lower than the market value, which will save Nigeria millions of dollars in maintenance and fuel costs each year.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, shared on social media that the decision to replace the old Boeing B737-700 was based on recommendations from Nigeria’s Senate Security and Intelligence Committee. The committee had raised concerns about the safety and efficiency of the aging aircraft, especially after it experienced technical issues during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
Onanuga also highlighted that the new Airbus A330 is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, a customized interior, and an advanced communication system, making it a more suitable and cost-effective option for the presidential fleet.