KEY POINTS

• In 2025 budget, FG plans N55bn for presidential fleet maintenance.
• Critics of allocation say it is wasteful while the nation is in economic hardship.
• There is an increasing need for government to provide priority to poverty alleviation and public welfare.

Opposition parties and Nigerians have decried the N55 billion proposed in the 2025 budget for the allocation of Nigeria’s presidential fleet.

PDP and the Labour Party, two of the critics of the expenditure, have described it as insensitive and as a misapplication of public funds in the time of raging economic hardship.

Haughty living in time of misery

The 2025 Appropriation Bill has allocated N55 billion to engine overhauls, fuel, fumigation, navigation equipment repairs, and general maintenance of the presidential aircraft according to the budget proposal. Allocations include ₦8.6 billion to repair navigational equipment and ₦5.5 billion refurbishment of one aircraft’s engine overhaul.

National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi, described the expenditure as ‘inhuman and satanic’ as he berates government’s inability to concentrate on poverty and inequality. ‘I think it is an insult to the masses who are suffering with hard currency that you would spend such a sum on luxury aircraft,’ he said.

Calls for accountability from opposition voices

Debo Adeniran the Executive Chairman Centre for Anti Corruption, and Open Leadership criticised the ‘profligate spending’ of the government, and betrayal of public trust by it’s actions. “This is a national shame in terms of the expenditure on jets.” He also said Nigerians deserve leaders that put their needs and interests first.

PDP South-West Chairman Kamorudeen Ajisafe asked if the allocation would be used to procure new aircraft and berated the government for having a poor sense of priority.

Unreasonably excesses

Moreover, Nigerians from across the board have expressed their frustrations. Engineer Olakunle Aina told Reuters said the fact that this was allocated is the height of insensitivity, better management could reduce these costs,”.

Mr Aina, a trader said, “But here’s a leader saying we will spend ₦55bn on travel while I had saved ₦150,000 over a year to achieve a small goal, it’s traumatic.”

Critics accused the government of spending ₦19.43 billion on the presidential air fleet between July 2023 and September 2024 and urged them to redirect the allocation to improve infrastructure, alleviate poverty, and address pressing social issues.

The calls for fiscal responsibility

Opposition figures and ordinary citizens are calling on the government to rethink its priorities.

Many have called for greater transparency and accountability in decision-making around fund allocation, urging a focus on directing resources toward areas that directly benefit the public.

If the government is to handle growing public discontent, it must explain its spending decisions and take a more people oriented approach to governance.