The Nigerian government’s newly acquired Airbus A330-200 presidential jet, reportedly worth N150 billion, has returned to the country after undergoing months of repainting and refurbishment in South Africa.
The aircraft was flown back to Nigeria this week, resuming its position in the Presidential Air Fleet following its transformation to reflect the nation’s iconic green and white colours.
The wide-body, twin-engine jet was sighted on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Aviation enthusiasts shared images on Thursday via the Instagram account @Abuja_Aviation, revealing the aircraft—tail number 5N-FGA—parked at the Presidential Wing of the airport.
The plane’s livery is predominantly white, accentuated by green-white-green stripes along its fuselage, and adorned with the Nigerian Air Force crest near the cockpit on both sides.
Photographs also captured bright red circular covers placed over the engine intakes, a standard procedure indicating that the aircraft was not scheduled for immediate flight.
A self-contained airstair was positioned at the forward left doorway of the plane, though no passengers were seen boarding or disembarking at the time. Ground personnel were, however, visible near the front of the wing and around the nose gear area.
Confirming the aircraft’s arrival, a Presidency official—who preferred anonymity as he was not authorised to speak publicly—disclosed that the jet returned after completing its repainting and undergoing minor interior enhancements. “Yes, they have returned the aircraft after the painting and minor touch-ups to the inside,” the source stated.
He further explained that before the aircraft begins official duties, it would first undergo “routine acceptance checks” conducted by the Nigerian Air Force’s Presidential Air Fleet.
While the official did not specify when the aircraft would next be used by the President, footage released by the State House on Friday afternoon showed President Bola Tinubu already boarding the jet for his scheduled trip to Kano State.
President Tinubu is also expected to visit Ogun State in the coming days to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, after a remarkable 65-year reign.
Earlier in May 2025, IREPORT247NEWS exclusively reported that the Airbus A330 was flown to South Africa for a comprehensive livery change and internal modifications. This move followed a pattern of significant spending on the Presidency’s air travel logistics.
The development stirred public debate amid concerns over the government’s escalating expenditure on the Presidential Air Fleet, which reportedly cost Nigerian taxpayers no less than N20.03 billion between July 2023 and December 2024.
Defending the aircraft’s acquisition, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga clarified that the jet was a refurbished model procured to replace aging aircraft in the fleet.
“It’s not Tinubu’s plane; it belongs to the Nigerian people. The Airbus 330 is a refurbished model, much newer than the 20-year-old Boeing 737 that broke down during President Buhari’s time,” Onanuga stated.
READ MORE – New Presidential Jet Flown to South Africa for Refitting and Repainting
The return of the aircraft underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to modernise the Presidential Air Fleet, despite the scrutiny and debate surrounding the associated costs.
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