The newly acquired presidential jet, an Airbus A330-200, has returned to Nigeria following months of refitting and repainting in South Africa.
Now adorned in Nigeria’s official green and white colours, the aircraft was recently spotted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. It is expected to resume official duties following routine checks by the Nigerian Air Force.
A presidency source confirmed the aircraft’s return, noting that minor upgrades were carried out alongside the repaint.
The plane, bought for an estimated $100 million, was initially ferried abroad for customisation shortly after it was delivered to the Nigerian government. Its relaunch comes amid ongoing debates about the size and cost of the Presidential Air Fleet.
Though the cost of the repaint remains undisclosed, aviation experts estimate such work on a wide-body jet to fall within a moderate range, depending on design complexity.
The aircraft is part of the government’s efforts to modernise its fleet and reduce long-term maintenance expenses linked to older jets.
However, critics have questioned the expenditure amid broader economic challenges.
