President Tinubu left Abuja for Paris on Monday, using the new Airbus A330, which was the subject of controversy in the last week following its court-ordered seizure and subsequent release caused by a Chinese firm.
The aircraft replaces the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought under the Presidency of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, the new plane, “bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly.”
He added on a statement on Monday: “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 Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended replacing the ageing aircraft in the presidential fleet to reduce downtime and operational expenses.”