The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu newly acquired N150 billion luxury Airbus A330 presidential aircraft has landed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The arrival of the aircraft which touched down at the airport at 8:29 pm on Sunday, August 18, 2024 took place ahead Pesident Tinubu’s visit to France scheduled for Monday, August 19, 2024.
The aircraft features a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, an office, a conference and dining room, and airline-style first-class and economy seating.
President Tinubu is expected to depart Abuja today, Monday, August 19, 2024 and expected back to the country after a brief working visit France.
The acquisition of the new luxury presidential jet has been shrouded in controversy, with many questioning the humongous cost against the backdrop of present economic challenges and high cost of living.
But, the presidency has insisted that the aircraft is a necessary tool for diplomatic engagements and national security.
The Airbus A330 aircraft is one of the three presidential jets recently confiscated by a French court in favour of a Chinese firm over a dispute with the Ogun State Government.
The Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, released the luxurious aircraft as a sign of good gesture, citing the upcoming meeting between President Tinubu and French President, Emmanuel Macron.
The plane which had been assigned a tail registration with a seal of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was spotted in July in France when it was at an advanced stage of completion.
The Airbus A330 aircraft was previously owned by a German bank, which had repossessed it from an Arab prince and businessman who defaulted on a multi-million-dollar loan and for which the Nigerian government moved and acquired.
