- Earlier, he said the jet replaces the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 purchased under former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
- In June, the house of representatives committee on national security and intelligence asked the federal government to purchase new aircraft for Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to Tinubu on information and strategy, has defended the acquisition of a new presidential jet by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Onanuga said the new presidential jet was bought far below the market price and therefore saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.
In a post on his X handle on Monday, the President’s spokesman said the aircraft was bought following a recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) after an investigative hearing by the National Assembly.
According to him, the legislative arm of the government had questioned the aircraft’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during Tinubu’s trip to Saudi Arabia.
“The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.
“The recommendation to replace the B737-700(BBJ) followed an investigative hearing by Nigeria’s parliament that questioned the plane’s safety record and cost efficiency, especially after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
“The new plane is spacious and is furnished with state-of-the-art avionics, customized interior and communications system,” part of his post read.