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While social media criticized as action as a symbol of the administration’s fiscal profligacy, the presidential spokesperson defended the action by saying that the aircraft was bought at a bargain price on the advice of the Senate’s security committee.
The recent purchase of a new USD 100 million aircraft for President Bola Tinubu has sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians. Many see this as a glaring example of a government out of touch with the daily struggles of its people, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in decades.
Nigeria acquires a new presidential jet-Airbus 330 at USD 100 million amidst protests in the West African country over inflation, rising cost of living, and unemployment. While social media criticized as action as a symbol of the administration’s fiscal profligacy, the presidential spokesperson defended the action by saying that the aircraft was bought at a bargain price on the advice of the Senate’s security committee.
As Nigeria grapples with soaring inflation and a staggering 40% of its population living in poverty, the expensive purchase has deepened the sense of frustration and disillusionment among many citizens. Nigeria, by 2050 is forecast to become the third most populous nation in the world, tied with the United States after India and China.
That crisis is blamed on the government’s economic policies to save more money and attract investors, but which have contributed to pushing the inflation rate to a 28-year high of 34.19% while the currency, the naira, languishes at record lows against the dollar. At least 63% of the population is poor.
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On Monday, the president departed for France using a newly acquired Airbus A330, which has become the latest addition to the presidential fleet of more than five aircraft.
The new presidential jet was recently released to the Nigerian government after it was seized by a Chinese firm, Zhangson Investment Co. Limited, which obtained a Paris court order to seize some Nigerian government assets following an investment dispute with Ogun state in south-west Nigeria.
The 15-year-old plane is said to have an elaborate configuration for VIPs and replaces the country’s 19-year-old Boeing BBJ 737-700.
