The Federal Government of Nigeria has reportedly spent an estimated N214 billion on the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) from 1999 to date, as plans to purchase two additional aircraft continue to generate mixed reactions.
This staggering sum, representing cumulative budgetary allocations and expenditures, has been incurred under the administrations of Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and the current President Bola Tinubu, according to documents reviewed by Sunday Vanguard.
Questions on Government Priorities
Critics argue that the N214 billion expenditure raises significant questions about the government’s priorities, especially in light of the country’s pressing needs in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
The substantial investment in the PAF, which includes 10 aircraft, is seen by many as a misallocation of resources, particularly given Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges.
House Committee Approval
Recently, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence approved the purchase of two new aircraft.
This decision follows the discovery that the President’s 19-year-old Boeing 737 and some other aircraft in the fleet are dysfunctional. Each new plane is estimated to cost over $623.4 million (approximately N918.7 billion).
PAF Composition and Operations
The PAF, managed by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), includes a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) 737, Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G500, two Falcon 7X HS 4000, two Agusta 139, and two Agusta 101.
The fleet serves the President, Vice President, and principal officers of the National Assembly, among other top government officials.
While the fleet symbolizes national pride and prestige, its maintenance costs have been criticized as excessive. Over the years, each administration has upgraded the fleet, adding new aircraft and incurring significant costs.
Budget Allocations and Expenditures
Under President Tinubu, N20.5 billion was earmarked for the PAF in the 2024 budget, with N12.7 billion and N13 billion allocated in the 2023 supplementary budget and the 2023 budget, respectively.
In the past 11 months, the administration has disbursed N14.77 billion for the repair and maintenance of the presidential aircraft.
During President Buhari’s administration, N69.06 billion was spent on fleet operation and maintenance over eight years, with allocations doubling in his second term. For instance, in 2016, N3.65 billion was allocated for the PAF, with subsequent increases in the following years.
The allocation surged to N12.55 billion and N12.48 billion for the 2021 and 2022 fiscal budgets, respectively.
Goodluck Jonathan’s administration spent N42.18 billion on the PAF from 2011 to 2015, with allocations fluctuating between N3.54 billion and N17.98 billion.
Historical Allocations
Records for allocations under Presidents Obasanjo and Yar’Adua (1999 to 2009) suggest an average of N7 billion per year, totaling around N70 billion for the decade. The estimated cumulative budgetary allocations to the PAF from 1999 to 2024 amount to approximately N214 billion.
Breakdown of Budgetary Allocations (2011-2024)
2011: N17.98bn
2012: N3.54bn
2013: N7.5bn
2014: N7.97bn
2015: N5.19bn
2016: N3.65bn
2017: N4.37bn
2018: N7.26bn
2019: N7.30bn
2020: N6.79bn
2021: N12.55bn
2022: N12.48bn
2023: N25.7bn
2024: N20.5bn
Call for Re-evaluation
As Nigeria continues to face economic challenges, there are increasing calls for the government to re-evaluate its spending priorities and channel more resources towards pressing national needs such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
The ongoing debate over the PAF’s costs highlights the need for a careful assessment of national spending to ensure it aligns with the country’s development goals.
