Former President Muhammadu Buhari once demonstrated remarkable integrity by rejecting personal luxury gifts, including a diamond-studded wristwatch from a Nigerian designer and a personal aircraft offer from the Emir of Abu Dhabi in 2016.
According to Buhari’s former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the diamond wristwatch, customized with Buhari’s image and embedded with diamonds, was brought to him by a Nigerian designer impressed by Buhari’s leadership.
Buhari politely declined, appreciating the designer’s efforts but stating, “I can’t wear this” and sent the gift back. Similarly, during an official visit to Abu Dhabi in 2016, the Emir offered Buhari a private aircraft for his personal use after leaving office. Buhari refused, saying he would not need such an aircraft after his tenure and would be unable to maintain it.
In stark contrast, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has acquired a new presidential jet, an Airbus A330-200, at a reported cost of around ₦150 billion (approximately $100 million) in August 2024, igniting widespread controversy amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic difficulties. The jet, refurbished and painted in Nigeria’s national colors, returned from South Africa after months of refurbishment in mid-2025.
This wide-body aircraft features luxurious amenities including a master bedroom, shower, conference room, and secure communication facilities. It was purchased to replace the aging Boeing Business Jet used since the Olusegun Obasanjo era, which had become expensive to maintain and presented safety risks, notably suffering mechanical problems during a trip to Saudi Arabia that required a chartered aircraft for Tinubu’s travels.
The Tinubu administration insists that the purchase of the refurbished jet is a cost-saving measure over maintaining older planes, with spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stating it will reduce annual maintenance and fuel expenses running into millions of dollars. Onanuga also clarified that the jet was not brand new but a refurbished aircraft bought below market value, intended for the presidential office and future presidents, not for Tinubu’s personal use.
However, the purchase has drawn sharp criticism from Nigerians and civil society groups who highlight the irony of the timing. Many citizens face severe economic hardship, including rising inflation, food insecurity, and delayed salaries. Critics argue that spending billions on a presidential jet while ordinary Nigerians struggle to make ends meet reflects poorly on the administration’s priorities. The controversy has been compounded by the fact that this acquisition was not included in the national budget and was reportedly funded from the “service wide vote,” a special fund not clearly accountable to the public.
While Tinubu’s camp stresses the importance of ensuring presidential safety and operational efficiency, the public remains divided. Some defend the necessity of the jet for official duties, while others see it as an unnecessary extravagance during a time of widespread hardship. This debate contrasts sharply with Buhari’s approach to rejecting personal luxury gifts, emphasizing austerity and personal modesty in leadership.
The purchase and return of Tinubu’s presidential jet, combined with Buhari’s rejection of luxurious gifts, highlight a significant divergence in leadership styles concerning public spending and personal integrity in Nigerian governance.
