President Bola Tinubu has kicked off a working visit to France, marking the inaugural flight of Nigeria’s new presidential aircraft. The Airbus A330 replaces the aging Boeing B737-700, which had been in service for 19 years.
The decision to acquire the new aircraft was informed by concerns over the safety and cost-effectiveness of the previous jet. Following an investigative hearing by the Nigerian Senate, the upper legislative chamber recommended its replacement to reduce operational expenses and downtime.
Presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the new aircraft was purchased at a significantly reduced price, promising substantial savings on maintenance and fuel costs.
While the presidency has confirmed the president’s trip to France, specific details about the agenda of the visit remain undisclosed.