Rita Odafe
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, provided insights into the recent acquisition of a new Presidential jet despite economic challenges.
He highlighted that the replacement of the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) with a new Airbus A330 results in substantial savings for Nigeria in terms of maintenance and fuel costs, amounting to millions of dollars annually. The acquisition of the new aircraft was also made at a price significantly below market value.
This decision to procure a new aircraft was influenced by a parliamentary investigation that raised concerns about the safety and operational efficiency of the B737-700(BBJ), particularly following an incident during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
The recommendation to retire the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet came from the Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee, aiming to minimize downtime and operational expenditures.
The new jet offers a spacious interior equipped with cutting-edge avionics, customized furnishings, and advanced communication systems to enhance travel comfort and efficiency.
