Nigeria’s newly acquired presidential jet, an Airbus A330-200 valued at N150bn, has returned to Abuja after months of refurbishment and repainting in South Africa. The aircraft, now wearing Nigeria’s official green-white-green livery, was spotted parked at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Wednesday.
Photos shared by aviation tracking platform @Abuja_Aviation on Instagram confirmed the jet’s arrival. With tail number 5N-FGA, the twin-engine wide-body aircraft featured sleek national colours along the fuselage and the Nigerian Air Force crest near the cockpit. At the time of documentation, its engines were capped and no passengers were seen on board, though ground crew were present near the aircraft.
An anonymous presidential official confirmed the return, stating that the aircraft had undergone painting and interior touch-ups. The jet will officially resume presidential duties once routine checks are completed by the Nigerian Air Force’s Presidential Air Fleet (PAF).
On Friday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was seen boarding the aircraft for an official visit to Kano. He is also expected in Ogun State soon to pay a condolence visit following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, who passed away at 91 after 65 years on the throne.
The aircraft was ferried to South Africa in early 2025, just months after it was purchased in August 2024 from a European leasing firm. It underwent livery changes and minor refurbishments to align with Nigeria’s official standards and was temporarily replaced by a San Marino–registered BBJ (T7-NAS) for presidential trips.
Multiple sources confirmed that the aircraft’s original commercial livery was removed and replaced with Nigeria’s VIP colours to meet requirements for its use as “Eagle One.” Operated by the Nigerian Air Force’s 001 Squadron, the plane includes a master bedroom, secure communication suite, conference room, and shower.
The $100 million aircraft (approximately N150bn) purchase, funded through service-wide votes, sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers and civil society, given Nigeria’s economic challenges. Still, presidential aides defended the decision, citing long-term savings on maintenance and fuel. According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the aircraft’s 13-hour flight range will eliminate costly layovers on long-haul trips.
While the cost of the repaint was not officially disclosed, estimates from Lufthansa Technik and other aerospace firms suggest it could range between $190,000 and $320,000, depending on complexity. Nigeria’s paint scheme, which is relatively simple, likely placed the job on the lower end of the price range.
The A330 joins one of Africa’s largest presidential fleets, which includes multiple Gulfstreams, Falcons, a Challenger 605, and various helicopters. The government is currently working to trim the fleet, as several aircraft are deemed unserviceable. In fact, the 20-year-old Boeing 737-700 previously used for presidential duties has been listed for sale in Switzerland by JetHQ, a global aviation brokerage firm.
Both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations have pledged to reduce the costs of maintaining the Presidential Air Fleet. Despite public scrutiny over the new acquisition, government officials argue that modern, reliable aircraft are critical for safe and efficient presidential travel.
