By SUNTV Global Channel | January 12, 2026
Fresh details from Nigeria’s 2026 budget have revealed that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), headed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has earmarked ₦500 million for the construction of a dedicated aircraft hangar for the Presidential Air Fleet.
A review of the budget documents shows that the proposed hangar is meant to house, service and secure aircraft used by the Presidency, which are operated by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). Such facilities are typically reserved for high-value state aircraft used for official and diplomatic engagements.
The hangar project forms part of wider expenditure plans for the Presidential Air Fleet in the 2026 fiscal year, with billions of naira allocated for aircraft overhauls, maintenance and operations.
According to further budgetary breakdowns, the Federal Government plans to spend ₦6 billion on the overhaul of aircraft engines in the presidential fleet. Of this amount, ₦3.859 billion is set aside for the overhaul of engines on aircraft with registration number 5N-FGW, identified as a Gulfstream G550 (Serial Number 5310) operated by the Nigerian Air Force for presidential duties.
Another ₦2.19 billion has been allocated for the overhaul of two Falcon 7X aircraft engines, also part of the Presidential Air Fleet.
Beyond engine overhauls, the 2026 budget shows that ₦1.2 billion has been earmarked for general aircraft maintenance, while ₦1.5 billion is allocated for aircraft fuelling, underscoring the recurring costs of keeping the fleet operational throughout the year.
The spending on presidential aviation comes alongside substantial allocations for travel. A separate review of the 2026 budget indicates that President Bola Tinubu plans to spend ₦6.1 billion on foreign trips during the fiscal year, with an additional ₦873 million budgeted for local travels.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is also projected to spend ₦1.3 billion on international travel, bringing the combined foreign travel budget for the President and Vice President to ₦7.4 billion in 2026.
Recently, President Tinubu travelled from Lagos to Europe as part of his end-of-year break before proceeding to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit (ADSW 2026), following an invitation from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Presidency said the summit brings together global leaders to discuss sustainable development, after which the President is expected to return to Nigeria.
Further budget documents also show that ₦375 million has been allocated for the supply of foodstuffs and catering materials within the Presidency during the 2026 fiscal year.
The growing allocations for presidential aviation and travel have continued to spark public debate, particularly amid economic challenges and rising living costs across the country.
— SUNTV Global Channel
