Paul Ibe, a key media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has launched a scathing public critique of how President Bola Tinubu's administration is managing Nigeria's prestigious presidential air fleet. In a detailed post on his official X account, Ibe pointed to a series of costly acquisitions, unexplained aircraft swaps, and a lack of transparency that he argues poses serious questions about accountability and national security.
The $100 Million Question and the Jet Musical Chairs
The controversy centers on several key aircraft. Ibe detailed that the presidency in 2024 purchased a used Airbus A330-243, registered as 5N-FGA, for a reported $100 million. This jet was acquired to replace the aging Boeing 737-700 (5N-FGT), known as NAF-001, which had served as the primary presidential aircraft since 2005.
The need for replacement was highlighted in April 2024 when President Tinubu, during a trip to The Hague, faced technical issues with the old 737, including an oxygen leak. This incident forced the delegation to charter a private Falcon 8X jet to continue their journey to Saudi Arabia.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Communication, had defended the A330 purchase, stating it was bought "far below market price" and would save on maintenance and fuel costs. However, Ibe's account suggests the story did not end there.
A Fleet in Flux: Secret Reregistrations and Chartered Flights
According to Ibe, the newly acquired Airbus A330 was used only briefly before being sidelined for refurbishment. In its place, the presidency began frequently using a Boeing 737 chartered from a company named Luxaviation, registered as T7-NAS.
The plot thickened with the status of the original Boeing 737 (5N-FGT). Ibe alleges that after being reportedly fixed, it was put back into "secret use" while also being listed for sale. He presented a critical discovery: the same aircraft has been silently reregistered in San Marino as T7-ZMK. "The Tinubu government needs to inform Nigerians if it was sold. If yes, to whom and for how much?" Ibe demanded.
He noted that Nigeria now effectively bears the cost of maintaining three large aircraft—the old 737, the new Airbus, and the chartered Luxaviation jet—alongside the rest of the expansive Presidential Air Fleet (PAF). This fleet includes multiple Gulfstreams, Bombardiers, Dassault Falcons, and helicopters.
National Security and Accountability Concerns
Ibe raised profound national security concerns regarding the reliance on chartered aircraft. He argued that official presidential jets are equipped with advanced, secure communication systems and can serve as mobile command centers, which commercial charters lack. Using foreign-chartered planes, he warned, exposes the President's movements and sensitive communications to potential espionage and compromises Nigeria's sovereignty.
His questions underscore a broader demand for transparency: At what cost is Nigeria chartering the Luxaviation aircraft? The lack of clear answers, coupled with the unexplained reregistration of a national asset and the reported N26.38 billion spent on fleet maintenance between July 2023 and January 2025, has fueled public outrage. These expenditures occur against a backdrop of severe economic hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
The issues highlighted by Atiku's aide have amplified calls for accountability from other political figures, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, putting the management of state resources under intense scrutiny.
