Dino Melaye slams rise in presidential jets under Tinubu as ridiculous for poor Nigeria

Dino Melaye, ADC chieftain and former Kogi West Senator, criticized the Bola Tinubu administration for increasing the presidential air fleet by five aircraft in under four years, calling it "ridiculous" for a country as poor as Nigeria. He noted that the Nigerian Air Force received no new aircraft throughout 2025. Melaye listed the added jets: 5N-FGY (brand-new Bombardier GL7T), T7-FGQ (three-year-old Pilatus PC-24), 5N-FGA (Airbus A330), M-FGNG (Gulfstream G500), and M-NGSA (Gulfstream G500). He said three Nigerian-registered aircraft (those with 5N prefix) were purchased outright, while two are leased from a private company at undisclosed rates.

This highlights concerns about government spending priorities amid widespread poverty, underfunded security services, and economic hardship. Critics argue that funds allocated to luxury presidential jets could instead support healthcare, education, or military modernization. The controversy adds to ongoing debates about fiscal responsibility and transparency in the Tinubu administration, especially as Nigerians face rising living costs and under-resourced public services.

With Nigeria's poverty levels high and the Air Force reportedly lacking new equipment, should the government reconsider expanding the presidential jet fleet and redirect those resources to essential services like healthcare, education, or defense? Or is maintaining a large presidential air fleet justified for presidential security and diplomatic duties?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/01/its-ridiculous-dino-melaye-slams-increased-presidential-jets/