News
President Tinubu Reportedly Directs Sale Of Three Presidential Jets Over Cost Of Maintenance
Three jets in the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) are to be sold off to cut down on the bloated cost of running the government.
According to The Nation, there are 10 aircraft currently in the presidential fleet – six jets and four helicopters – which will be cut to seven if the planned action sails through.
According to the report, this is part of the cost-saving measures being adopted by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Not less than N80 billion had been budgeted for the PAF as maintenance cost, from 2016 to 2023. In 2016 (N3.65 billion), 2017 (N4.37 billion), 2018 (N7.26 billion), 2019 (N7.30 billion), 2020 (N6.79 billion), 2021 (N12.55 billion), 2022 (N12.48 billion) and in 2023 about N25.7billion, made up of N13billion in the budget and N12.7billion in the 2023 Supplementary Budget.
Although the amount released from the budgetary line year on year could not be ascertained, the President was said to be uncomfortable with the rising cost of maintenance and therefore directed that the fleet should be reduced.
Citing a source, the president was particularly concerned about the frequency of maintenance and how much it costs the nation.
“The President is uncomfortable with the rising cost of maintaining the planes,” the source said.
“Three planes have been pencilled down for disposal. The main reason is cutting down high maintenance costs.
READ ALSO
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs: Chelle Names 24-Man Super Eagles Squad for Gabon Clash
- Adeboye to Tinubu: Give Security Chiefs 90 Days to End Terrorism or Sack Them
- Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid Lead Nigeria’s Charge in 2026 Grammy Nominations
- Davido Splashes ₦1.08 Billion on 2025 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan
- Anambra 2025: 13 Major Candidates Battle to Unseat Soludo
“I think officers in PAF were particularly concerned about the frequency of maintenance and how much it costs the nation.
“The President decided to let off the aircraft that constitute the most burdensome.”
Then-President Muhammadu Buhari’s government also planned to sell off two planes in the fleet but eventually failed to dispose of them.
In October 2016, a Dassault Falcon 7x executive jet and a Beechcraft Hawker 4000 business jet were put up for sale.
The preferred bidders who initially agreed to pay $24 million for the two aircraft, later reduced their offer to $11 million. This was rejected by the then government.
READ ALSO
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs: Chelle Names 24-Man Super Eagles Squad for Gabon Clash
- Adeboye to Tinubu: Give Security Chiefs 90 Days to End Terrorism or Sack Them
- Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid Lead Nigeria’s Charge in 2026 Grammy Nominations
- Davido Splashes ₦1.08 Billion on 2025 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan
- Anambra 2025: 13 Major Candidates Battle to Unseat Soludo
Thereafter, an arrangement to put some of the aircraft on chatter for willing governors was initiated to make the planes income-generating, thereby reducing the government expenses on maintenance.
The planes in the Presidential Fleet are Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) 737, Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G500, two Falcon 7X, HS 4000, two Agusta 139, and two Agusta 101.
The BBJ 737 is the Nigerian Air Force One, which is used exclusively by the President.
It is designed to serve as an office and a residential quarter on air to enable the president to function effectively during his trip.
The President also uses one of the helicopters for shuttles during his trips around the country.
Other jets in the fleet are used by top government officials including the Vice President, governors, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Assembly members on special shuttles, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, ministers on special missions, Chief of Staff, advisers and even ambassadors of plenipotentiary status.
The report noted that it could not ascertain whether the President’s BBJ 737 would be sold and replaced.
The BBJ was bought for about $43 million during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
A Falcon and Embraer jets have been slated to be sold.
READ ALSO
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs: Chelle Names 24-Man Super Eagles Squad for Gabon Clash
- Adeboye to Tinubu: Give Security Chiefs 90 Days to End Terrorism or Sack Them
- Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid Lead Nigeria’s Charge in 2026 Grammy Nominations
- Davido Splashes ₦1.08 Billion on 2025 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan
- Anambra 2025: 13 Major Candidates Battle to Unseat Soludo
An investigation confirmed that the presidency might have incurred over $5 million as maintenance fees in the past few months.
It was unclear the actual figure of outstanding commitments on the fleet which have not been settled.
Giving reasons for the use of some of the planes by top government officials, a source said: “It takes much time to connect some African countries by air. In such a situation, the Presidential Air Fleet is handy.
“The use of the fleet is domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for effective management.”
Last week, President Tinubu in another cost-saving measure imposed a three-month travel ban on public-funded foreign trips by Federal Government officials.
This takes effect from today, April 1.
News
Adeboye to Tinubu: Give Security Chiefs 90 Days to End Terrorism or Sack Them
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has finally spoken on the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged genocidal attacks against Christians in Nigeria and the reported plans by the United States to take military action against the country.
For weeks, Christian leaders had faced public criticism for their perceived silence amid the global outcry following US President Donald Trump’s warning and the subsequent revelation of a possible military intervention.
In a newly released video clip from one of the church’s recent programmes, Pastor Adeboye urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to act swiftly, diplomatically, and strategically to prevent escalation.
He said:
“My children, if I were asked to make suggestions, I will say quietly to our government, move fast, move diplomatically, move wisely.
Find a way to convince the president of America to please delay his actions for about 100 days. And then come home and say to our security chiefs: get rid of these terrorists within 90 days, or resign.”
Adeboye further advised the President to give firm directives to the nation’s security heads to eliminate not only terrorists but also their sponsors, regardless of their influence.
“Make it clear to them that they are not only to eliminate the terrorists, they should eliminate their sponsors no matter how influential,” he added.
The respected cleric also warned that Nigeria must not rely on foreign allies should a conflict erupt, stressing that “if the US should attack us, China is not coming to defend us, Russia won’t defend us.”
Adeboye’s statement comes amid intensifying diplomatic discussions between Abuja and Washington following reports of a contingency military plan by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Watch video here
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
Music News
Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid Lead Nigeria’s Charge in 2026 Grammy Nominations
The Recording Academy has unveiled the 2026 Grammy Awards nominations, spotlighting a rich mix of international superstars, breakthrough talents, and African heavyweights with Nigeria once again making a strong showing on the world stage.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, celebrating the best in global music released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025.
This year’s awards also introduce two new categories Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover marking another evolution in the prestigious ceremony.
Leading the pack is Kendrick Lamar with nine nominations, followed by Lady Gaga, who scored seven nods, including her fifth Album of the Year nomination for “MAYHEM.”
Nigerian Stars Shine Bright
Nigeria continues to dominate the African and Global Music categories, with Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid earning nominations alongside continental legends like Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Eddy Kenzo (Uganda), Tyla (South Africa) and Youssou N’Dour (Senegal).
Burna Boy leads the Nigerian contingent with two nominations:
- Best African Music Performance (“Love”)
- Best Global Music Album (“No Sign of Weakness”)
Davido also earned a nod for Best African Music Performance with “With You” featuring Omah Lay, while Ayra Starr and Wizkid scored a joint nomination for “Gimme Dat.”
Other contenders in the category include Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin (“Hope & Love”) and Tyla (“Push 2 Start”).
In the Best Global Music Album category, Burna Boy faces stiff competition from Youssou N’Dour (“Éclairer le Monde – Light the World”), Angélique Kidjo, and India’s Anoushka Shankar (“Chapter III: We Return to Light”).
Highlights From the 2026 Grammy Nominations
Album of the Year
- Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
- Justin Bieber – Swag
- Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
- Clipse – Let God Sort Em Out
- Lady Gaga – Mayhem
- Kendrick Lamar – GNX
- Leon Thomas – Mutt
- Tyler, The Creator – Chromakopia
Record of the Year
- Bad Bunny – “DtMF”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
- Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”
- Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
- Kendrick Lamar with SZA – “Luther”
- Rosé and Bruno Mars – “APT.”
Song of the Year
- Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
- Bad Bunny – “DtMF”
- Kendrick Lamar with SZA – “Luther”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
- Billie Eilish – “Wildflower”
Best African Music Performance
- Burna Boy – “Love”
- Davido ft. Omah Lay – “With You”
- Ayra Starr ft. Wizkid – “Gimme Dat”
- Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin – “Hope & Love”
- Tyla – “Push 2 Start”
Best Global Music Album
- Burna Boy – No Sign of Weakness
- Youssou N’Dour – Éclairer le Monde – Light the World
- Anoushka Shankar – Chapter III: We Return to Light
- Shakti – Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live)
- Caetano Veloso & Maria Bethânia – Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo
African Excellence on the World Stage
The 2026 Grammys reaffirm Africa’s growing global influence in music, especially as Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Afro-fusion sounds continue to dominate charts and playlists worldwide.
With Burna Boy eyeing another Grammy victory and Davido, Ayra Starr, and Wizkid securing key nominations, Nigerian music’s global momentum remains unstoppable.
The 68th Grammy Awards will air live worldwide on February 1, 2026, promising electrifying performances and unforgettable moments from the biggest names in global music.
2026 GRAMMYS: See The Full Nominations List
News
Full List: FEC Approves Major Road Projects Across Nigeria
FEC Approves Major Road Projects Across Nigeria, Including Lagos–Ibadan and East–West Highways
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), on Thursday, November 6, 2025, approved several major road projects across the country aimed at improving connectivity, easing traffic congestion, and enhancing economic activity.
According to a list shared by the Special Assistant to Presiden Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media.
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs: Chelle Names 24-Man Super Eagles Squad for Gabon Clash
- Adeboye to Tinubu: Give Security Chiefs 90 Days to End Terrorism or Sack Them
- Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid Lead Nigeria’s Charge in 2026 Grammy Nominations
- Davido Splashes ₦1.08 Billion on 2025 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan
- Anambra 2025: 13 Major Candidates Battle to Unseat Soludo
Below are the key road projects approved during the meeting:
- Lagos–Ibadan Expressway (Phase II, Section II – Lagos to Ibadan):
Approval granted for repairs of failed sections, completion of underpasses, ramps, and adjoining roads. - Mushin–NNPC Junction–Apapa–Oshodi Expressway (Lagos):
Dualisation of the expressway approved, with cost revisions to reflect inflation and updated design specifications. - Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway (Section III: Badagry–Ogun–Oyo border):
New contract approved for the 162.97-kilometre stretch, linking the Southwest and Northwest corridors. - Ilorin–Omu Aran–Egba Road (Kwara/Egba region):
A 216-kilometre road project divided into phases; Phase I received approval under the current budget. - East–West Road (Federal corridor):
Redesign approved to improve traffic flow and pavement strength, with dual carriageways and additional bridges included. - Ota–Idi-Iroko Road (Ogun State):
Approval for review and redesign; the road will now use rigid concrete pavement and include a new bridge to address challenging terrain and high water-table conditions. - Jos–Turunku–Maraban–Jama’a Road (Kaduna State):
Rehabilitation works approved to enhance inter-state connectivity in the North-Central region. - Ijebu–Ibu Ete–Egba–Owena Road (Ogun & Ondo States):
Reconstruction approved for this inter-state route linking Ogun and Ondo, with upgraded design standards.
The approved projects reflect the federal government’s ongoing commitment to upgrading Nigeria’s road infrastructure to boost trade, logistics, and regional integration.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
Biafra
Court Forecloses Defence, Fixes November 20 for Nnamdi Kanu Judgment
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed November 20, 2025, for judgment in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is facing charges bordering on alleged terrorism.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, set the date on Friday after foreclosing Kanu’s right to present his defence, following his repeated refusal to proceed under a law he claimed had been repealed.
“This court has given the defendant every opportunity required under Section 36 of the Constitution, and I will not allow this to continue. It is on this basis, without hesitation, that I hold that the defendant has waived his right,” the judge ruled.
Kanu had consistently declined to open his defence, insisting there was no valid charge against him and that his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) was illegal.
The court had, on October 24, adjourned the matter to October 27 to allow Kanu commence his defence after he disengaged his legal team and opted to represent himself. On November 4, Justice Omotosho gave the defendant a final opportunity to open his defence or risk forfeiting his right to do so.
Despite the judge’s persuasion for him to engage legal counsel, Kanu maintained that the terrorism charges were unconstitutional, citing Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution to argue that there was “no written law establishing terrorism as an offence in Nigeria.”
At Friday’s proceedings, Kanu complained that he had been prevented from filing an important process. The judge subsequently directed that the court’s registry be temporarily relocated to the courtroom to enable the defendant file the document. Proceedings were stood down for one hour to complete the process.
Upon reconvening, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), counsel to the Federal Government, informed the court that he would rely on the exhibits already attached to the defendant’s motions rather than file a new response.
In one of his motions, Kanu asked the court to expunge his “not guilty” plea from the record, alleging that he was “deceptively arraigned” in violation of his constitutional rights. He also sought an order nullifying all proceedings in the case and demanding his immediate release.
Justice Omotosho, however, held that the defendant’s refusal to present his case amounted to a waiver of his right to fair hearing, having been given several opportunities to do so.
The court then adjourned the matter to November 20 for judgment.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
Abia State
Governor Alex Otti Raises NYSC Allowance by 1,150%, Implements CONHESS for Health Workers in Abia
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved a massive increase in monthly allowances for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state from a long-standing ₦4,000 to as high as ₦50,000.
This landmark decision represents a 1,150% increment, marking the first major review in nearly 27 years and further cementing Governor Otti’s reputation as a leader committed to youth empowerment and human capital development.
According to the new structure, all Corps Members serving in Abia State will now receive a base monthly allowance of ₦20,000, in addition to the Federal Government’s ₦77,000 monthly stipend. Those serving in State Government establishments and Teaching/Medical roles will earn an additional ₦10,000 and ₦30,000, respectively.
Governor Otti explained that the differential allowances were introduced to attract Corps Members to critical sectors like health and education, addressing the human resource gaps created by years of neglect and attrition.
READ ALSO
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs: Chelle Names 24-Man Super Eagles Squad for Gabon Clash
- Adeboye to Tinubu: Give Security Chiefs 90 Days to End Terrorism or Sack Them
- Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Wizkid Lead Nigeria’s Charge in 2026 Grammy Nominations
- Davido Splashes ₦1.08 Billion on 2025 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan
- Anambra 2025: 13 Major Candidates Battle to Unseat Soludo
Transforming the NYSC Experience in Abia
The “New Abia” is rapidly becoming a model for inclusive governance and practical reforms. Beyond financial incentives, Governor Otti’s administration has continued to upgrade the NYSC Orientation Camp in Bende Local Government Area, breathing new life into facilities that had been abandoned for decades.
The improvements include renovation of internal roads, provision of reliable electricity, installation of power equipment, and rehabilitation of dilapidated hostels and administrative buildings. Despite the camp being a Federal Government facility, the Governor maintains that every institution within Abia whether state or federal deserves attention because “it is Abians who benefit the most.”
A New Deal for Health Workers
In a related development, Governor Otti has also approved the full implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers across Abia State. The long-awaited wage adjustment aligns the state’s healthcare workforce with national standards, ensuring fair compensation, improved morale, and enhanced service delivery.
This decision underscores the administration’s resolve to rebuild the state’s healthcare sector, retain skilled professionals, and restore public confidence in government institutions.
Building a Future That Works
Governor Otti’s reforms reflect his core philosophy: taxation is the government’s share of the prosperity it has created, and investing in people is the surest path to sustainable development.
For years, Corps Members have played pivotal roles in Abia’s progress from education and healthcare to law, engineering, and public administration. The Governor’s gesture, therefore, is both a reward and an investment in the future.
With his signature blend of vision and action, Governor Otti continues to inspire a new era of hope, opportunity, and excellence for Abia State and its people.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
-
Business3 weeks agoUnity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge Empowers 578 Young Entrepreneurs, Awards ₦16 Million to 30 New Winners
-
Abuja2 weeks agoIPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu Declines to Enter Defence, Insists “No Case” Against Him
-
News3 weeks ago16 Nigerian Military Officers Arrested Over Alleged Coup Plot to Oust President Tinubu
-
Music News2 weeks agoFlavour Unveils ‘Afroculture’ Single Featuring Baaba Maal, Directed by TG Omori
-
Lifestyle3 weeks agoNed Nwoko Drops Bombshell, Says ‘Men Marrying Multiple Wives Are Helping Women’
-
World News2 weeks agoTwo Killed, Two Injured as Plane Bursts Into Flames After Takeoff Crash in Venezuela
-
Travel3 weeks agoFRSC Flags Off 2025 Ember Months Campaign, Unveils Contactless Biometric Driver’s Licence System
-
News3 weeks agoNed Nwoko Gives Reason for Clash with Regina Daniels
-
Music3 weeks agoAyra Starr & Rema’s “Who’s Dat Girl” Debuts at #1 on Spotify Nigeria
-
Entertainment3 weeks agoRema and Ayra Starr Dance to Wizkid Tracks at Lagos Club After ‘Who’s Dat Girl’ Release



