ABUJA, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu is facing a wave of criticism following the release of budget implementation data showing that his administration has prioritized the upkeep of the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) over the procurement of critical equipment for soldiers on the frontlines.
The Funding Gap
Analysis of the Open Treasury Portal reveals a stark contrast in the government’s spending priorities as of April 2026. While the Presidential Air Fleet received 98% of its allocated funding—totaling over ₦20.27 billion for fuel and maintenance—the Nigerian Army’s budget for vital security hardware saw only a 7.11% disbursement.
For every naira spent on the President’s luxury travel, only a fraction reached the soldiers battling insurgency in the North East and banditry in the North West. Reports indicate that while the presidential fleet’s engines are being overhauled at a cost of billions, general military aircraft maintenance has struggled with a release rate of just 14%.
The 2026 Priorities
The controversy has intensified with the signing of the ₦68.32 trillion 2026 Budget. Critics point to a fresh ₦6 billion allocation specifically for the overhaul of engines within the presidential fleet, including nearly ₦4 billion for a single Gulfstream G550. This comes at a time when military commanders continue to cite “logistical constraints” and “equipment shortfalls” as major hurdles in ending the nation’s security crisis.
“Wrong to Compare” — The Presidency Responds
The Presidency has dismissed the comparison as misleading. Tope Fasua, a Special Adviser to the President, defended the spending by explaining that the Presidential Air Fleet falls under “recurrent expenditure,” which requires immediate and constant funding for safety and operational readiness. In contrast, he noted that military hardware falls under “capital expenditure,” which often faces slower disbursement cycles and procurement delays.
A Nation in Distress
The data has fueled public anger, with opposition leaders and civil society groups labeling the administration “out of touch.” At a time when Nigeria is grappling with record-high inflation and a relentless insurgency that recently saw over 400 hostages taken in Borno, the sight of a fully-funded presidential fleet next to an under-equipped military has become a potent symbol of the country’s divide.
“It is the height of insensitivity,” said one opposition lawmaker. “Our soldiers are being asked to die for a country that cares more about the comfort of its leader than the safety of its protectors.”
