Concerns Rise Over Maintenance Costs of Nigeria's Presidential Aircraft

There is growing concern over the substantial maintenance expenses of Nigeria's presidential aircraft, Air Force 001, which is dedicated to serving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Daily Trust reports that the costs amount to billions of naira.

According to a senior official familiar with the maintenance of the presidential fleet, the routine servicing and parts acquisition for Air Force 001 have been consuming vast sums of money. While the money dedicated to maintaining the presidential fleet is not a new trend, the erstwhile Presidential Air Fleet Commandeer, AVM AA Yaro, has recommended its demobilization.

Air Force 001 is a 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) bought during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the cost of $43 million. The aircraft's age does not affect its performance, but the maintenance cost increases, unlike newer and more modern aircraft.

It was also gathered that a month before the expiration of former President Muhammadu Buhari's tenure, the aircraft was sent for comprehensive maintenance ahead of the inauguration of Tinubu’s government. Since Tinubu took over and inherited the aircraft, it has undergone other rounds of scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance.

Sources told the publication that the aircraft had amassed over $5 million in maintenance bills, constituting nearly half of the over $10 million liabilities inherited at the presidential fleet.

Sheri Kyari, General Secretary of the Society of Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (SLAMEN), advised that purchasing a new aircraft would be better to reduce the maintenance cost.

Investigations revealed that neighboring nations have relatively newer aircraft in comparison to Nigeria. For example, Ivory Coast possesses two Gulfstream aircraft in its presidential fleet and utilizes A319 and A320 for extended journeys. Similarly, Senegal employs A320Neo and A319 alongside other smaller jets.

An aircraft engineer, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that even the US president's aircraft is older than Nigeria's presidential aircraft. He suggested that a brand new engine could make an aircraft seem new and emphasized the importance of providing the president with a suitable aircraft.