Nigeria newly acquired jet is 15-year-old, used by three previous owners – Report

Recent investigations have revealed that the newly acquired Nigerian presidential aircraft, an Airbus A330-200 with registration number 5N-FGA, is 15 years old.

The aircraft, which was delivered to Nigeria from Toulouse, France, on August 18, 2024, has a history of two previous owners.

Originally manufactured in September 2009, it was first delivered to Midroc Aviation in Saudi Arabia, where it was in service for 12 years.

The plane was later acquired by AMAC Aerospace in Switzerland before being purchased by the Nigerian government.

The acquisition, reportedly costing $100 million with an additional $50 million spent on upgrades, comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with the high maintenance costs of its existing presidential fleet.

The Airbus A330-200 replaces a 19-year-old Boeing 737-700, which had become increasingly expensive to maintain.

The Nigerian government had previously spent $4.5 million on the Boeing’s upkeep in 2023 alone.

The purchase of the Airbus has sparked controversy, especially since it was a subject of legal disputes involving Nigeria, Ogun State, and a Chinese firm over a contractual issue dating back to 2007.

Despite the aircraft’s age, aviation experts argue that acquiring a newer jet could save the government significant maintenance and operational costs in the long run.

In related news, President Bola Tinubu recently departed for Paris, France, aboard the new Airbus A330-200.

The decision to replace the ageing Boeing 737-700 followed recommendations from the Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee, which raised concerns about the plane’s safety and cost efficiency after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia.

The government’s decision to upgrade its presidential fleet has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the move for potential long-term savings, while others question the necessity and timing of the purchase.