In a bid to fulfil one of his campaign promises, which is reducing the he cost of governance, President Muhammadu Buhari has
directed that nine of the VIP transport aircraft in the presidential fleet should be sold.
The Presidential fleet is said to be one of the largest in Africa and third largest in Nigeria, after Arik and Aerocontractors. It's actual size is classified information, but it is speculated to contain about 16 aircrafts with the most popular being the Boeing 738 BBJ, NAF 001 or Eagle One, which the president uses for his travels.
Eagle One has a luxury configuration comprising a master bedroom, washrooms and showers, a conference and dinning area, and a living area, the plane
seats 25 to 50 passengers and would cost at least $100 million to replace today.
According to an aviation source, who is aware of the directive to sell the aircraft, the presidency has a number of serviceable and unserviceable aircraft that need to be disposed of in order to
reduce the amount spent by the federal government for aircraft maintenance annually.
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