2025 Budget: PDP, Labour Party Reject ₦55 Billion Allocation For Presidential Fleet Maintenance
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party have condemned the proposed ₦55.5 billion allocation for maintaining Nigeria’s presidential air fleet in the 2025 Appropriation Bill, currently awaiting approval by the National Assembly.
The budget, which includes expenses for aircraft engine overhauls, fuelling, air navigation, cleaning, fumigation, and general maintenance, significantly surpasses the ₦19.43 billion spent on the fleet between July 2023 and September 2024.
Critics have raised concerns about the government’s priorities, particularly in light of Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges. The South-West Chairman of the PDP, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, questioned whether the presidency intended to acquire additional aircraft, given the soaring maintenance costs.
Similarly, Abayomi Arabambi, the Labour Party’s factional National Publicity Secretary, described the allocation as “inhuman and satanic”, accusing the government of prioritizing luxury expenses over addressing the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
Detailed Breakdown of the 2025 Budget Allocation
₦8.6 billion for air navigational equipment repairs
₦5.5 billion for engine overhaul of an aircraft (5N-FGW)
₦3.1 billion for the overhaul of two additional engines
₦1.5 billion for aircraft fuel
₦1.25 billion for general maintenance
₦149 million for security operations
₦7.5 million for cleaning and fumigation
₦311.1 million for aircraft insurance premiums (mostly handled by foreign insurers due to limited local capacity)
For context, the entire 2025 aviation ministry budget is ₦105.95 billion, with the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development receiving ₦71.12 billion. Sub-agencies received allocations such as:
₦9.82 billion for the Nigerian Meteorological Agency
₦7.98 billion for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria
₦10.03 billion for the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau
₦7 billion for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency
This means the budget for the presidential fleet accounts for more than half of the ministry’s total allocation.
Arabambi pointed out that the fleet already includes several aircraft, including a recently purchased Airbus A330, costing over $100 million, reflecting what he termed as the government’s “profligate spending habit.”
Debo Adeniran, the Executive Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), criticized the administration for failing to align with citizens’ expectations:
“What we are getting from this administration is opposite to our expectations. This is an administration that has fallen in love with profligacy. The proposed expenditure on presidential jets is a national shame.”
He called on Nigerians to demand accountability from their leaders, adding:
“It’s surprising that the same citizens who complain about wasteful government spending often vote for the same politicians. This vicious cycle of poor governance must be broken.”
The controversial allocation has sparked widespread debate, with citizens and opposition leaders urging the government to rethink its budgetary priorities. Amid rising poverty and economic inequality, the need for fiscal responsibility and prudent spending has become more critical than ever.
