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Daniel Adaji
On December 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu’s administration approved payments totaling N5.9bn for the procurement of luxury vehicles for the State House, a document from government financial records has revealed.
The payments, all executed on the same day through the State House Headquarters Transit Account, were made to five different companies for various categories of high-end vehicles, including bulletproof Mercedes-Benz sedans.
One of the largest disbursements was N2.4bn paid to Loralek Ultimate Ltd, recorded simply as payment for the supply of vehicles to the State House in Abuja.
Another N1.5bn was paid to Mega Ultimate Ltd, also for vehicle supply, while an additional N200m was later sent to the same company as part payment—bringing the total paid to Mega Ultimate Ltd to N1.7bn.
A separate N1.5bn was paid to R. Cubix Ltd for the supply of three luxury bulletproof Mercedes-Benz S-Class S580 2023 models, indicating a cost of about N500m per unit.
Other companies that received payments include First Broad International Ltd, which was paid N300m, also for supplying vehicles to the presidency.
The spending raises eyebrows over priorities in a time of economic hardship for many Nigerians. Fuel subsidy removal, high inflation, and increasing electricity tariffs have made life more difficult for average citizens. Yet, the government appears to be spending heavily on luxury for the presidency.
Critics argue that such expenditure is insensitive and tone-deaf to the realities on the ground. Civil society organizations have repeatedly called for more transparency and fiscal discipline in managing public funds.