In a controversial revelation, documents reviewed by Sunday Vanguard have uncovered that the Nigerian Federal Government has expended a staggering N214 billion on the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999.
According to VANGUARD, this sum encapsulates both budgetary allocations and expenditures, spanning the administrations of Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and current President Bola Tinubu.
Critics have raised significant concerns about the prioritization of the PAF, particularly in light of Nigeria’s pressing needs in sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
The allocation of such substantial sums towards the fleet, amidst economic challenges and funding shortages in critical areas, has sparked widespread debate and scrutiny.
Recently, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence approved the acquisition of two additional aircraft for the fleet, citing the dysfunctional state of some existing planes, including the President’s 19-year-old Boeing 737. Each new aircraft is estimated to cost over $623.4 million (approximately N918.7 billion).
Currently managed under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the PAF comprises a variety of aircraft, including Boeing Business Jets, Gulfstream models, Falcon 7X, and Agusta helicopters.
This fleet primarily serves to transport the President, Vice President, and other top government officials, symbolizing national prestige but drawing criticism for its high operational and maintenance costs.
Budgetary allocations to the PAF have fluctuated over the years, reflecting changing administrations’ priorities. For instance, President Tinubu’s administration earmarked N20.5 billion in the 2024 budget alone, with preceding years seeing allocations ranging from N12.7 billion to N13 billion.
Detailed financial records indicate that the Muhammadu Buhari administration allocated N69.06 billion towards PAF operations and maintenance during its tenure.
Notably, budget allocations increased significantly over the years, peaking at N12.55 billion in 2021 and N12.48 billion in 2022 following a slight downturn in 2020 due to global lockdowns amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Similarly, President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration allocated N42.18 billion to the PAF between 2011 and 2015, with annual figures ranging from N3.54 billion to N17.98 billion.
The cumulative expenditures underscore the sustained financial commitment to maintaining and upgrading the fleet over successive administrations.
As Nigeria navigates economic challenges and public scrutiny over government spending, calls for a review of the PAF’s operational costs have intensified. Many Nigerians advocate for reallocating resources towards critical national priorities rather than expanding the presidential fleet.
Looking ahead, the decision-making process around future PAF expenditures remains pivotal. Whether the government will recalibrate its spending strategies to address pressing national needs or maintain the current trajectory of investment in the presidential fleet will be closely watched and debated.