President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s newly acquired presidential jet, reportedly worth N150 billion, has returned to Abuja after undergoing extensive repainting and refitting in South Africa. The Airbus A330-200, which was purchased in August 2024, was spotted on Wednesday at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, now donning Nigeria’s national colors—a white fuselage accented with green stripes and bearing the Nigerian Air Force crest.
The aircraft, registered as 5N-FGA, had been grounded since February 2025 and quietly flown out of the country for a complete livery change and minor interior upgrades. A senior official from the presidency, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed its return.
“Yes, they’ve brought it back after repainting and minor touch-ups to the inside,” the official said, adding that the aircraft would resume presidential duties following standard acceptance checks by the Nigerian Air Force’s Presidential Air Fleet.
Although no official timeline was given for its next deployment, footage released by the State House on Friday showed President Tinubu boarding the jet for an official trip to Kano State. He is also scheduled to visit Ogun State to pay his respects to the family of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 91 after a 65-year reign.
The aircraft was initially delivered in 2024 with a temporary commercial livery and has now been repainted to reflect its VIP status, a requirement before it could be flown under the official call-sign “Eagle One.” Operated by the elite 001 Squadron of the Nigerian Air Force, the Airbus replaces the older Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) used by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Presidency insiders say the A330 was chosen to reduce fuel and maintenance expenses associated with the aging BBJ, claiming that the newer jet is more cost-efficient over time. The wide-body aircraft features amenities such as a master bedroom, shower, conference room, and secure communication systems.
However, critics have slammed the $100 million (N150 billion) acquisition, calling it a misplaced priority in a country facing economic hardship, inflation, food insecurity, and growing public debt. The jet was reportedly purchased using service-wide votes — a controversial funding source often criticized for its lack of transparency.
While the Presidency has not disclosed the cost of the repainting, aviation experts estimate a full repaint of an aircraft of that size would typically cost between $190,000 and $320,000, depending on the design complexity. Given the jet’s simple green-and-white theme, it’s believed the cost likely falls on the lower end of that range.
The A330 now joins Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet, widely regarded as one of the largest in Africa, consisting of at least 11 aircraft. This includes two Agusta 101 helicopters, multiple Dassault Falcon 7X jets, a Gulfstream G550, and the retired BBJ. Reports indicate that three of the fleet’s seven fixed-wing aircraft are currently unserviceable.
The 20-year-old BBJ, which served as the primary presidential aircraft since its acquisition by the Obasanjo administration in 2005, has been listed for sale in Switzerland. JetHQ, a U.S.-based aviation brokerage, is handling the sale but has not disclosed the asking price.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended the acquisition, describing it as a prudent decision that will save the country “millions of dollars annually” in operational and maintenance costs.
Still, opposition leaders and civil society organisations view the purchase as extravagant and tone-deaf.
“At a time when civil servants are unpaid and millions of Nigerians can barely afford to feed, the government is investing in vanity projects like luxury jets,” said one opposition figure who declined to be named.
As public scrutiny continues to mount, the presidential jet’s return underscores the growing debate over fiscal responsibility, government spending, and national priorities under the Tinubu administration.
