Steve Hanke, a renowned economist and professor at Johns Hopkins University, has publicly condemned Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for acquiring a new $150 million Airbus A330 private jet while Nigeria faces severe economic difficulties.
Hanke’s criticism comes in response to Tinubu’s recent purchase of the jet, which was notably used for his trip to France. The economist, known for his expertise in inflation metrics, has highlighted Nigeria’s troubling economic conditions, including a staggering inflation rate of 114% annually—much higher than the official figures reported by the government.
Describing President Tinubu as “arrogant, ignorant, and incompetent,” Hanke accused the Nigerian leader of flaunting luxury in the face of widespread economic hardship. “Tinubu showcased his new $150 million A330 private jet while Nigeria suffers from an astonishing 114% inflation rate,” Hanke said on his X account.
Tinubu’s recent trip to France, which began on a Monday and ended four days later, coincided with the release of one of three presidential jets previously seized by a French court due to a dispute with the Ogun State Government. According to SaharaReporters, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, the Chinese firm involved, released the aircraft as a goodwill gesture to support Tinubu’s diplomatic meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Chinese company noted the importance of the aircraft for diplomatic engagements and acted to ensure its availability for the meeting. The aircraft, an ACJ330-200 with tail registration 5N-FGA, is equipped with a bedroom, an en-suite bathroom, an office, a conference and dining area, and first-class and economy seating.
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