The Federal Government has spent ₦26.38 billion on the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) during the first 18 months of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, raising concerns over the high cost of maintaining executive air mobility despite persistent calls for austerity.

An analysis of spending records obtained by Punch from Govspend, a civic tech platform that tracks public expenditure, revealed that the funds were disbursed between July 2023 and December 2024 for the operational and logistical upkeep of the fleet.

Findings also showed that former President Muhammadu Buhari allocated ₦81.80bn for the maintenance of the Presidential Air Fleet and foreign trips between 2016 and 2022. The sum included ₦62.47 billion for operation and maintenance, ₦17.29 billion for foreign and local trips, and ₦2.04 billion for other related expenses.

During Buhari’s tenure, the Presidency reportedly maintained 10 aircraft since assuming office in May 2015.

Industry analysts attributed the rising costs to the weakening naira against the dollar, noting that aviation expenses are dollar-denominated. Others highlighted the large size of the presidential fleet as a key factor in inflating operational costs.

According to Govspend, the Tinubu administration made multiple high-value disbursements, particularly between April and August 2024.

July 2023: ₦846.03 million was released on July 14 for “presidential air fleet forex transit funds,” followed by ₦674.82 million two days later. That month’s spending exceeded ₦1.5bn.

August 2023: Disbursements included ₦2bn (August 16), ₦387.6m, and ₦713.22m earlier in the month.

November 2023: A significant release of ₦1.26bn was recorded.

March 2024: Two separate releases of ₦1.27bn each were made on March 7 and 9.

April 2024: The largest single transaction of ₦5.08bn occurred on April 23.

May 2024: Payments of ₦2.43bn (May 8), ₦1.27bn (May 11), and ₦1.27bn (May 25) were recorded.

August 2024: Spending peaked with multiple releases, including ₦1.25bn and ₦2.21bn on August 5, and ₦902.9m and ₦1.24bn on August 6, totalling over ₦5.6bn.

More minor disbursements continued into September and December 2024, including ₦160.4m (August 8), ₦35m (September 11), ₦133m (September 29), and December releases of ₦290m, ₦102.95m, ₦25.25m, and ₦8.7m.

The Presidential Air Fleet, overseen by the Nigerian Air Force, provides air transport services to the President, Vice President, and top government officials.

While the fleet plays a crucial role in government operations, its maintenance cost has repeatedly drawn public criticism, particularly amid Nigeria’s fiscal challenges and rising debt service obligations.