By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Presidential Air Fleet received N4.24bn between June and December 2025 for aircraft operations and maintenance, according to GovSpend data. The payments, made by the State House in Nigeria, covered forex transit funds, repairs, and operational expenses. The disbursements came amid rising maintenance costs, ageing aircraft concerns, and increased security demands under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
GovSpend Records Eight Transactions
Findings showed that the funds entered the Presidential Air Fleet naira transit account through eight transactions.
The largest payments occurred in July 2025. During that period, officials approved four transfers worth N2.43bn within one week.
A breakdown of the transactions revealed the following:
- N1.285bn on June 12
- N430m on July 24
- N1.28bn on July 25
- N92m on July 29
- N626m on July 31
In December, the government released three additional payments:
- N9m on December 18 for “Presidential Air Fleet forex transit funds”
- N343.9m on December 30
- N90.9m on December 31
However, four transactions carried no description and appeared simply as “None” on the GovSpend database.
What Forex Transit Funds Mean
Most payments to the Presidential Air Fleet transit account were labelled “Forex Transit Funds.”
These funds usually support international transactions. They cover aircraft maintenance, fuel purchases, spare parts replacement, and foreign service payments.
Aviation Experts Explain Rising Costs
Speaking with The PUNCH, the General Secretary of the Aviation Round Table, Olumide Ohunayo, linked the rising costs to the weakening naira and ageing aircraft.
According to him, aircraft maintenance costs continue to rise because many services and spare parts require dollar payments.
Ohunayo also explained that older aircraft demand more maintenance. In addition, growing insecurity and terrorism have increased insurance costs.
He said, “As the naira keeps falling against the dollar, maintenance costs will continue to rise.”
Tinubu’s Aircraft Incident Renewed Debate
Concerns about the fleet intensified after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly abandoned one of the presidential aircraft during an overseas trip.
Reports indicated that the Gulfstream 550 assigned to the President developed a technical fault in the Netherlands. Consequently, Tinubu continued his journey to Saudi Arabia using alternative arrangements.
Following the incident, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended the purchase of two new presidential aircraft.
Nigeria Acquired Airbus A330 in 2024
In August 2024, the Federal Government replaced the presidential Boeing 737 business jet with an Airbus A330 purchased for $100m.
The aircraft, identified as ACJ330-200 VP-CAC, reportedly features upgraded avionics and advanced communication systems.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the aircraft would reduce fuel and maintenance expenses.
Between February and July 2025, President Tinubu reportedly travelled in a San Marino-registered Boeing Business Jet, T7-NAS.
Sources disclosed that the Airbus A330 underwent repainting and redesign in South Africa before returning to Nigeria in July 2025.
Current Presidential Air Fleet
The Presidential Air Fleet currently includes:
- Airbus ACJ330-200
- Gulfstream G550
- Gulfstream G500
- Two Falcon 7X jets
- Hawker 4000
- Challenger 605
Reports showed that three aircraft remain unserviceable.
The fleet also includes:
- Two Agusta 139 helicopters
- Two Agusta 101 helicopters
The Nigerian Air Force operates the helicopters under the supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Security Expert Defends Spending
The Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Security Limited, John Ojikutu, defended the maintenance costs.
Ojikutu stated that aircraft undergoing major inspections, especially C-checks, usually require huge spending.
He explained that international repairs involve fuel costs, hotel bills, catering, and flight crew expenses.
Presidency Defends Presidential Fleet Spending
The Presidency did not respond to fresh inquiries regarding the recent GovSpend transactions.
However, Onanuga previously defended the expenditure. He stressed that the aircraft belong to Nigerians and ensure the President’s safety.
According to him, the government prioritises safe presidential travel because national security remains critical.
Presidential Air Fleet Budget Trends
The Presidential Air Fleet received N17.32bn in the 2025 budget. However, the allocation dropped to N14.70bn in 2026 due to reduced capital expenditure.
Engine overhaul projects consumed:
- N4.58bn in 2024
- N8.65bn in 2025
- N6.05bn in 2026
The total spending on engine overhauls reached N19.27bn within three years.
Since 2017, presidential fleet allocations have increased steadily. Budgetary spending rose from N4.37bn in 2017 to N20.52bn in 2024.
That increase represents a 370 per cent rise in operational costs over seven years.
