The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party have strongly criticized the N55 billion allocated in the 2025 national budget for maintaining the Presidential Air Fleet, calling it a misplaced priority given the nation’s economic challenges.
The controversial allocation is part of the 2025 Appropriation Bill sent to the National Assembly for approval. If approved, over N55.5 billion will be spent on overhauling three aircraft engines in the presidential fleet, including fuel, fumigation, air navigation, cleaning, and general maintenance.
The Ministry of Aviation’s total budget for 2025 stands at N105.95 billion, with N71.12 billion earmarked for aviation and aerospace development. Other allocations include N9.8 billion for the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, N7.98 billion for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, and N7 billion for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
From July 2023 to September 2024, N19.43 billion was spent on maintaining the Presidential Air Fleet, with N13.55 billion recorded in 2024. The proposed budget for 2025 includes N8.65 billion for air navigation equipment, N5.5 billion for the overhaul of one aircraft engine, and N1.55 billion for fuel costs. N7.5 million has been allocated for cleaning and fumigation, and N311 million for aircraft insurance premiums, which will likely be handled by foreign insurance companies due to the lack of local capacity to insure airliners.
The opposition parties have reacted strongly to these figures. Kamorudeen Ajisafe, the South-West Chairman of the PDP, initially declined to comment on the possibility of acquiring another aircraft but promised to follow up. Abayomi Arabambi, the factional National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, condemned the allocation as “inhuman” and “satanic,” arguing that with millions of Nigerians facing economic hardship, such spending on luxury aircraft was an affront to the masses.
Arabambi also pointed to the recently purchased Airbus A330, which cost over $100 million, as an example of the government’s lavish spending, while noting the administration’s failure to prioritize poverty reduction.
Debo Adeniran, the Executive Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, called the proposed expenditure a national shame, criticizing the administration for its “love for profligacy.” He urged the government to reassess its priorities and address the needs of the citizens rather than indulging in wasteful spending on luxury travel.
Engineer Olakunle Aina also expressed disappointment, claiming the allocated funds for travel were excessive. “It’s the height of insensitivity,” he said, suggesting that better management could reduce costs while redirecting funds to more pressing needs.
Similarly, trader Mrs. Aina, who saves diligently for a year to accumulate N150,000, said she could not fathom the enormity of the proposed amount for aircraft maintenance, calling it traumatic and unjustifiable in a country where many struggle to survive.
As the National Assembly reviews the budget, public outrage over the allocation continues to grow, highlighting the disconnect between government spending and the economic realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.