Report Reveals Urgent Plan To Buy Flights For Tinubu, Shettima Amid Biting Economic Hardship

The House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence has urged the federal government to promptly acquire new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

This recommendation followed a technical subcommittee’s assessment of the current status and airworthiness of the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF).

The committee’s report emphasized the importance of this procurement, citing the potential risks associated with the current fleet’s technical and operational inadequacies. The committee stated, “Considering the fragile structure of the Nigerian federation and the potential consequences of any mishap due to the inadequacy of the Presidential Air Fleet, it is in the country’s best interest to procure two additional aircraft.”

The report, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES and signed by Committee Chairperson Ahmed Satomi and Clerk Makwe Eric, has been forwarded to the presidency. According to the committee, the Presidential Air Fleet comprises six aircraft: one Boeing 737, a Gulfstream G550, a Gulfstream GV, two Falcon 7Xs, and a Challenger CL605. Of these, three are currently unserviceable. The fleet also includes six helicopters: two Agusta 139s and four Agusta 189s, with the two Agusta 139s also unserviceable.

The committee noted that President Tinubu’s 19-year-old Boeing 737 is under maintenance, while Vice President Shettima’s 13-year-old Gulfstream G550 is operational. The 23-year-old Gulfstream GV and one of the Falcon 7Xs are unserviceable, while the Challenger CL605 is serviceable.

Given the high maintenance costs and frequent downtime of aged aircraft, the committee recommended procuring new aircraft for the nation’s top leaders. This recommendation follows former President Muhammadu Buhari’s unfulfilled promise to reduce the fleet size, despite increasing the fleet’s maintenance costs significantly.

The committee’s investigation was prompted by incidents involving malfunctions in the presidential fleet, including a reported breakdown of President Tinubu’s plane during a trip to the Netherlands and Vice President Shettima’s cancellation of a U.S. trip due to aircraft issues.

After conducting an investigative hearing with briefings from various officials, the committee concluded that ensuring the safety of the president and other VIPs should be a priority. The committee formed a five-member panel to determine the airworthiness of all PAF aircraft, which completed its report on June 4, recommending the procurement of new aircraft.

The recommendations have been accepted by the larger committee and forwarded to the presidency for necessary action, emphasizing the need for secure and dedicated aircraft for the nation’s top officials.