President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja on Monday for a visit to Paris, France, marking his first journey aboard Nigeria's newly acquired presidential jet. The announcement was made by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement released on Sunday night.

Details about the length of Tinubu's stay in France or the nature of his engagements there were not disclosed. Ngelale simply mentioned that the President would return to Nigeria "after his brief work stay" in France. This trip follows closely on the heels of another overseas visit, as Tinubu had just returned to Abuja two days ago from a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea.

The new presidential jet, an Airbus A330, touched down at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. The aircraft was received by officials of Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet, led by Olayinka Olusola, an Air Vice Marshal. The jet, now designated as Nigeria's Air Force One with the registration number 5N-NGA, was reportedly repossessed from an indebted oil sheikh who had used it as collateral for a loan from an unidentified German bank. The deal, brokered by American aviation firm L & L International LLC, saw Nigeria purchase the aircraft for over $100 million.

However, Nigerian raised concerns on the necessity of purchasing new aircraft amid the country's severe economic challenges.