Over the years, several Nigerian state governors have come under fire for acquiring expensive aircraft using public funds. These purchases, often justified as necessary for security, revenue generation, or administrative efficiency, have sparked widespread criticism—particularly in states battling poverty, infrastructure decay, and unpaid salaries.
Here’s a rundown of eight governors who bought jets while in office and the controversies that followed:
1. Peter Odili – Rivers State
In 2005, then-Governor Peter Odili purchased an Embraer Legacy 600 jet for $16 million and an Agusta Westland air ambulance for $10 million. He justified the acquisitions as tools for transporting officials and handling medical emergencies.
)
2. James Ibori – Delta State
James Ibori’s alleged $20 million purchase of a Bombardier Challenger 604 jet was mired in corruption allegations. Investigations by the EFCC linked the jet to a network of offshore companies, raising serious transparency concerns.
)
3. Rotimi Amaechi – Rivers State
Amaechi, in 2012, acquired a Bombardier Global 5000 jet for $45.7 million through a U.S.-based trust. He also sold off the state’s older Embraer Legacy 600 and a Dash 8-Q200 to Cross River State. While he claimed the transactions were based on maintenance cost concerns, critics pointed to the lack of transparency and personal use of state-funded aircraft.
)
4. Godswill Akpabio – Akwa Ibom State
Akpabio bought a Bombardier Global 5000 jet for $45 million, using the same Bank of Utah trust model as Rivers State. Though he insisted the jet was a state asset, the high cost raised eyebrows in a state still grappling with basic development needs.
)
5. Adamu Mu’azu – Bauchi State
In 2007, Mu’azu purchased an Embraer 145 jet for $17.5 million, claiming it would generate income by leasing it to Dana Aviation. In 2015, the aircraft was reported missing, only to be found later in Morocco, triggering a scandal.
)
6. Danbaba Suntai – Taraba State
Suntai acquired multiple aircraft—including a Cessna 208, a Bell helicopter, and an Embraer ERJ-145—for a combined $21 million. His passion for flying ended in tragedy when he crashed one of the aircraft in 2012. Investigations revealed he wasn’t licensed to fly.
)
7. Liyel Imoke – Cross River State
In 2013, Imoke bought a Dash 8-Q200 for $6 million from Rivers State. He said it would support tourism by servicing the Obudu airstrip. The aircraft was later leased to Aero Contractors, but critics questioned the necessity of the purchase.
)
8. Rauf Aregbesola – Osun State
Aregbesola acquired a Eurocopter AS-355N for ₦500 million ($2.54 million) in 2013 to aid anti-crime aerial surveillance. The purchase came through a lease deal with OAS Helicopters, but was widely criticized given Osun’s dire financial situation at the time.
)
Final Thoughts
While some of these governors framed the acquisitions as strategic investments, the broader picture suggests a trend of questionable spending. In states struggling with basic services, the optics of multi-million-dollar aircraft purchases—often with limited accountability—continue to undermine public trust in governance.
