Tinubu’s N150billion Presidential Jet Returns To Abuja After Months Of Repair In South Africa

Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu’s controversial N150billion presidential jet has landed back in Abuja after undergoing costly refurbishment in South Africa, sparking fresh outrage over government spending amid biting economic hardship.

The Airbus A330-200, purchased by the Tinubu-led administration in August 2024, was spotted at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Wednesday, now painted in Nigeria’s national colours — white fuselage with green stripes and a Nigerian Air Force crest. 

The aircraft, bearing tail number 5N-FGA, had been grounded since February 2025 and quietly ferried abroad for a repaint and touch-ups.

A source at the Presidency confirmed to journalists that the aircraft had returned following “painting and minor interior fixes,” and would resume presidential operations after routine Air Force checks, PUNCH reports. 

Footage released by the State House on Friday showed Tinubu already boarding the aircraft en route to Kano State.

Presidency insiders claim the Airbus, equipped with a master bedroom, shower, conference room and secure communication facilities, was acquired to replace the aging Boeing Business Jet used by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

 Officials claim it will cut fuel and maintenance costs, but critics say the $100m (N150bn) price tag — funded through service-wide votes — was outrageous in a country grappling with rising debt, hunger and insecurity.

The Presidency has remained tight-lipped on the cost of the repaint, but industry estimates show a full strip-and-repaint job for a wide-body aircraft like the A330 ranges between $190,000 and $320,000, depending on complexity and colour schemes. Analysts say the simple green-and-white design might place the cost at the lower end of the scale.

It was learnt that the aircraft was initially delivered in interim commercial livery, which had to be replaced with official VIP colours before it could fly under the call-sign “Eagle One.” The jet is operated by the Nigerian Air Force’s elite 001 Squadron.

The new jet joins what is considered one of Africa’s most bloated Presidential Air Fleets, with at least 11 aircraft under Tinubu’s command, including two Agusta 101 helicopters, Falcon 7Xs, a Gulfstream G550 and the newly mothballed BBJ. Three of the fleet’s seven fixed-wing jets are reportedly unserviceable.

The previous workhorse, the 20-year-old Boeing 737 BBJ acquired by the Obasanjo administration in 2005, has since been listed for sale in Switzerland. JetHQ, a US-based aviation broker handling the transaction, confirmed it is marketing the aircraft but declined to disclose the asking price.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has defended the acquisition, calling it a cost-saving measure that will reduce annual maintenance and fuel expenses “running into millions of dollars.”

However, opposition parties and civil society groups see it as another sign of the Tinubu administration’s misplaced priorities. “At a time when Nigerians are struggling to feed and civil servants are owed salaries, the government is busy splashing billions on aircraft vanity projects,” said one critic who asked not to be named.

The return of the refurbished aircraft coincides with Tinubu’s scheduled condolence visit to Ogun State following the death of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who died at 91 after reigning for 65 years.

Despite earlier promises to cut the cost of governance and streamline the Presidential Air Fleet, the Tinubu government — much like its predecessors — continues to operate an expansive and expensive aviation entourage, raising questions about the sincerity of its economic reform agenda.