The Nigerian Air Force’s newest presidential aircraft, a refurbished Airbus A330-200, has returned to Abuja following months in South Africa for livery change and minor interior upgrades.
Spotted on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, according to Punch, the 15-year-old jet, now painted in Nigeria’s official green-white-green colours, is poised to resume official duties under the call-sign Eagle One.
Images shared by aviation-tracking handle @Abuja Aviation on Thursday showed the aircraft, with tail number 5N-FGA, stationed at the Presidential Wing. The fuselage bears clean green-white-green stripes and the Nigerian Air Force emblem near the cockpit.
The aircraft’s engines were covered with red caps, indicating it wasn’t being prepared for immediate departure at the time, while ground personnel were seen attending to the aircraft.
A presidency official, who requested anonymity, confirmed the aircraft’s return, stating, “Yes, they have returned the aircraft after the painting and minor touch-ups to the inside.”
He added that it would resume service following standard acceptance checks by the Nigerian Air Force’s Presidential Air Fleet (PAF).
### Tinubu Boards A330 for Kano Visit
Although no official schedule was given for the aircraft’s next flight, President Bola Tinubu was seen boarding it on Friday for his official visit to Kano State.
He is also expected to travel to Ogun State in the coming days for condolence visits to the family of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who died on July 13, aged 91.
The aircraft, acquired in August 2024 for $100m (approximately ₦150bn) from a European leasing firm, was sent to South Africa in May 2025 for “refitting and repainting.”
According to sources, the presidential Airbus had been grounded for about three months before being ferried abroad. Since then, President Tinubu had relied on a San Marino–registered Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), T7-NAS, for his local and international trips.
“The last I heard is that they took it abroad, I think to South Africa, to change the body design,” a source said in May, adding that the work included more than just paint.
A second official confirmed the livery update was necessary to replace the jet’s commercial colours with Nigeria’s VIP design, a requirement before it could serve as Eagle One.
Registered under the Nigerian Air Force 001 Squadron, the wide-body aircraft features a master bedroom, shower, conference room, and a secure communications suite.
Thr Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, previously stated that the aircraft is “spacious and furnished with state-of-the-art avionics, customised interior and communications system.” He added that the switch to the A330 would save Nigeria significant fuel and maintenance costs annually.
Its 13-hour range enables non-stop flights from Abuja to global hubs like New York or Beijing, a marked improvement from the ageing Boeing 737 used by former President Muhammadu Buhari, which often required fuel stops.
Though officials did not confirm the repainting cost, industry estimates suggest that a full exterior repaint of an Airbus A330 typically ranges between $190,000 and $320,000, depending on design complexity.
A 2023 survey by Aviation Week estimated a standard two-colour A330 respray at $175,000–$200,000, with more elaborate liveries costing more. Nigeria’s simple green and white theme likely placed the cost at the lower end.
With the A330’s return, the Presidency is retiring the 20-year-old B737-700 BBJ acquired for $43m in 2005 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Listed for sale in Switzerland by JetHQ, a U.S. based aircraft brokerage, the jet has undergone inspections ahead of resale. However, JetHQ has yet to respond to inquiries on the asking price.
The Presidency had previously declared the aircraft a “money guzzler”, citing escalating maintenance costs.
The Presidential Air Fleet remains one of Africa’s largest, consisting of around 11 aircraft. These include a 13-year-old Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G500, two Falcon 7Xs, a Hawker 4000, and a Challenger 605.
However, three of the seven fixed-wing aircraft are reportedly unserviceable.
The rotor-wing fleet includes two Agusta 139s and two Agusta 101 helicopters, all operated by the Nigerian Air Force under the supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations had previously pledged to reduce the size of the fleet for cost-efficiency.
However, the acquisition of the Airbus A330 continues to spark debate in light of Nigeria’s economic challenges.