Dino Melaye Slams Tinubu Over Five New Aircraft in Presidential Air Fleet

ADC chieftain Dino Melaye has criticised the Bola Tinubu administration over the reported expansion of Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet, questioning the decision to add five aircraft while the country faces economic challenges.

Melaye described the development as “ridiculous” for what he called a poor country, arguing that government spending on presidential aircraft should be weighed against other national priorities.

The former Kogi West senator made the comments in a statement posted on his verified X account, where he also raised concerns about the Nigerian Air Force’s aircraft acquisitions.

Melaye claimed that the Nigerian Air Force did not take delivery of a single aircraft throughout 2025, contrasting that with what he described as a rapid expansion of the Presidential Air Fleet under the current administration.

He said the Tinubu government had increased the number of aircraft in the presidential fleet by five in less than four years, describing the development as a record-breaking increase.

Listing the aircraft, Melaye identified them as a brand-new Bombardier Global 7500 registered as 5N-FGY, a three-year-old Pilatus PC-24 registered as T7-FGQ, an Airbus A330 with registration 5N-FGA, and two Gulfstream G500 aircraft registered as M-FGNG and M-NGSA.

According to Melaye, three of the aircraft carrying Nigerian 5N registrations were purchased outright by the Federal Government, while the two Gulfstream G500 jets were reportedly leased from a private company. He said the lease rates had not been disclosed.

The comments are likely to fuel renewed debate over the cost of maintaining Nigeria’s presidential fleet and the government’s spending priorities, particularly as the country continues to face pressure over public finances and the need for greater investment in critical sectors.