Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has acquired a new private jet, an Airbus A330 business aircraft, even as millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with severe economic hardship.

The move has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the government’s priorities as the country grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades.

The aircraft, now registered to the Nigerian Air Force, was purchased last month for $100 million, according to Premium Times.

According to data from FlightRadar24, the plane left Abuja for Nice, France, on Monday, marking the president’s latest international trip aboard the newly acquired jet. The jet replaces an older Boeing 737-700 that had been in service for 19 years.

“The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly,” Mr Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said in an emailed statement, according https://pluboard.com/2024/08/20/policy/tinubu-buys-100-million-jet-as-nigerians-suffer-severe-hardship/