FG Allocates N19 Billion for Vice President Shettima’s Aircraft Engine and Other Presidential Jets

The Federal Government has approved a total of N19.27 billion for engine maintenance across the Presidential Air Fleet, with Vice President Kashim Shettima’s Gulfstream G550 (5N-FGW) receiving the largest single allocation.

Analysis of appropriation bills from 2024 to 2026 reveals that the G550, which operates under the call sign “Nigerian Air Force 2” when carrying the vice president, was allocated N10.61 billion over three years for engine overhauls. This accounted for 55 percent of the total fleet engine maintenance budget during President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Budget details show the allocation rising from N1.24 billion in 2024, peaking at N5.51 billion in 2025, and then dropping to N3.86 billion in 2026. Officials attribute the high costs to repeated technical faults that forced cancellations of Shettima’s trips to the United States and Samoa in 2024, necessitating urgent maintenance.

Other jets in the fleet also received funding:

• Two Falcon 7X jets: N6.98 billion over three years

• Gulfstream 5N-FGS: N1.68 billion in 2024

The spike in maintenance costs in 2025 coincided with the delivery of the N150 billion Airbus A330 for the president, which officials say is expected to reduce future fuel and maintenance expenses.

Experts note that aircraft age plays a major role in maintenance costs. The 13-year-old Gulfstream G550 requires frequent and expensive overhauls as its critical components near the end of their lifespan. Complete engine overhauls for a G550 can range between $1.5 million and $3 million per engine, suggesting the budget likely covers more than routine maintenance.

The Presidential Air Fleet currently operates ten aircraft, including six jets and four helicopters. Critics argue that maintaining such a large fleet is disproportionate and costly, especially amid Nigeria’s fiscal constraints. While the president has received a new Airbus A330, no replacement has been announced for the vice president’s aircraft, which continues to require substantial maintenance allocations.

The allocation has sparked public debate over government spending priorities, with some calling for rationalization of the presidential fleet to free resources for critical sectors.