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Navy, Air Force to spend N77bn on fighter jets, boats
The Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force are set to bolster their operational capabilities with a massive investment in cutting-edge equipment, including fighter boats, patrol vessels, attack helicopters, and aircraft simulators.
According to the 2025 proposed appropriation bill, the two services will collectively spend over N77bn on these procurements.
A breakdown of the allocation shows that N510m was allocated for the procurement of Azimuth Stern Drive Tug Boat, a vessel from China.
A substantial N9.6bn was earmarked for acquiring multiple new tug boats; N5.97bn will go toward purchasing three OCEA 32 fast patrol boats, six special forces boats, six rigid-hulled inflatable boats, fuel cleaning stations, and a four-year integrated logistics plan.
N2.85bn will be spent on three 17-metre patrol boats with spare parts; N514m is set aside for 80 flat-bottom assault boats under phase two of the procurement plan. Two 30-man NSS boats with reinforced gun points and a service whaler boat will cost N363mn. A sum of N190m will be used to procure T-68 M4 paintball guns.
For the Air Force, N2.75bn was allocated as the balance payment for the procurement of Beechcraft King Air 350i; N2.35bn will serve as part payment for the Periodic Depot Maintenance of two Agusta 109 LUH helicopters, NAF 571 and NAF 572.
An additional N39.46bn is set aside for six T-129 attack helicopters, along with weapons and spares; N8.25bn will be spent on various aircraft spares to ensure operational readiness and N2.68bn was allocated for the procurement of a Super Mushshak flight simulator equipped with full-fit motion technology.
On December 18, President Bola Tinubu presented the proposed N47.9tn 2025 budget to the National Assembly, branding it the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace and Rebuilding Prosperity.”
A significant portion of the budget, N4.91tn, has been dedicated to defence and security, underscoring the administration’s commitment to tackling Nigeria’s pressing security challenges.
The Presidency has clarified that former Finance Minister Wale Edun and former Housing Minister Ahmed Musa Dangiwa voluntarily resigned their positions before President Bola Tinubu announced their replacements on Tuesday, dismissing insinuations that the two ministers were fired.
Edun, who turned 70 on Monday, submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, citing health reasons.
He paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa on Tuesday, holding an hour-long discussion before departing to focus on his private businesses.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Edun wrote in his resignation letter, adding that Nigeria had emerged stronger and more internationally respected under Tinubu’s leadership.
Dangiwa similarly tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Edun, an economist and investment banker, served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2004 under then Governor Tinubu.
He co-founded Investment Banking and Trust Company Limited, now Stanbic IBTC, in 1989, and later founded the Chapelhill Denham Group in 1994.
Dangiwa, an architect, previously served as Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank between 2015 and 2022 and as Secretary to the Katsina State Government before his ministerial appointment in August 2023.
Tinubu expressed appreciation to both men for their contributions to his administration’s economic reform programme and urged the incoming Finance Minister, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms with renewed focus and discipline.
The President is expected to shortly transmit the name of Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, to the Senate for confirmation as the new Housing Minister.
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party took a fresh turn on Wednesday as its factional national chairman, Tanimu Turaki, was arraigned before a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory.
Turaki appeared before the court sitting in Maitama over allegations of giving false information to the police. The case adds another legal twist to the ongoing internal struggles within the party.
The senior lawyer, who holds the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him in open court.
Proceedings were brief but closely watched, given his position and the tension within the party.
The prosecution, led by the office of the Inspector-General of Police, told the court that the defendant had written a petition dated October 5, 2022. In the said petition, he allegedly accused one Saidi Mainasara, with “intent to trigger police action” against him. The authorities argue that the information provided in that petition was false and misleading.
Following his plea, the court considered his bail application. The presiding judge granted him bail in the sum of N100 million. The court also set conditions to ensure his appearance during trial, though details of the sureties were not extensively argued in open court.
After granting bail, the court adjourned the matter to a later date for continuation of hearing. Legal teams on both sides are expected to prepare for a more detailed argument when proceedings resume.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan meets President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday met former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa.
This was disclosed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
A reason for the meeting has not been disclosed as at the time of filing this report.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan meets President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Meanwhile, Jonathan has responded to erstwhile Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his submission on his competency during his time in office.
Atiku, during a live television interview, claimed that Jonathan made many mistakes while he was President because he was inexperienced.
“I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but also inexperienced, and I believe that contributed to his inability to manage the affairs of the country, particularly when he was faced with challenges,” he said.
Reacting to Atiku’s statement during the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria awards ceremony in Abuja on Monday, Jonathan said no one who becomes a governor or president would say he did not make mistakes.
He defended his administration, adding that he did his best while in office.
Jonathan said: “So not too long ago, a very senior politician said, ‘Oh, Jonathan was too young and probably that’s why he made mistakes.’
“If I made mistakes, yes, nobody who becomes a governor or a president will say you did not make mistakes. Even when you promote yourself to the level of a god, you become a deity.
“All human beings must make mistakes. I became president in 2010 at the age of 53. I left in 2015 at the age of 58, and they say I was too young. Must it have been 100 years before I ran the affairs of the state?”
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