- New data from GovSpend reveals that ₦4.24bn was disbursed for the operations of the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) between June and December 2025, with the majority of transactions occurring in July.
- Most of the funds were labeled as “Forex Transit Funds,” covering critical international costs such as fuel, crew training, and technical maintenance in foreign currencies.
- Aviation experts attribute the sharp increase in running costs, up 370% since 2017, to the aging of the fleet, the devaluation of the Naira, and heightened security insurance premiums.
The latest financial tracking reports have shed light on the heavy costs associated with maintaining Nigeria’s presidential aircraft.
Eko Hot Blog reports that according to the updates, the Presidential Air Fleet naira transit account saw eight major transactions in the second half of 2025.
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July was particularly expensive, seeing four disbursements totaling ₦2.43bn in a single week.
These figures contribute to a massive cumulative spend that has accelerated under the current administration, with 2024 alone seeing ₦14.15bn in disbursements.
Olumide Ohunayo, General Secretary of the Aviation Round Table, noted that the fleet’s reliance on foreign currency for parts and training makes it vulnerable to the fluctuating value of the Naira.
Furthermore, the fleet’s age necessitates frequent and costly “C-checks” and engine overhauls.
A major overhaul project across the fleet has consumed an aggregate of ₦19.27bn over the last three years.
The safety of the President remains a primary justification for these expenses, especially after a 2024 incident where a technical fault in a Gulfstream 550 forced the President to charter a private jet mid-tour.
The presidency has defended the spending, with Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga stating that the aircraft are national property and that the high maintenance costs are essential for the safety of the Commander-in-Chief.
The current fleet includes a newly acquired Airbus A330, purchased for $100m to replace older, less efficient models.
While budgetary allocations for 2026 show a slight decline to ₦14.70bn due to reduced capital projects, the operational costs for the specialized fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft continue to spark public debate regarding fiscal priorities.
