Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the former governor of Abia State, has revealed that Nigeria’s economic hardship has forced him to stop using his private jet. In a video circulating on social media, Kalu explained that the difficulties in fueling the jet, particularly with the hike in the price of aviation fuel, led to his decision ¹.
Kalu stated that he hasn’t used his private jet since August 2, 2024, and has instead opted for commercial flights. He also mentioned that he has contracted out the private jet to an oil company to generate some income. The senator emphasized that he wants to maintain this arrangement until he can sort out the differential of workers’ salaries in Nigeria and West Africa.
It’s worth noting that Kalu’s decision may not be an isolated case, as other billionaires in Nigeria are also feeling the pinch of the economic hardship. Some have even resorted to hiring out their private jets to reduce maintenance costs.
Kalu’s decision has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising his pragmatism and others criticizing his past governance. However, it’s clear that the economic challenges facing Nigeria are affecting even the wealthy elite.
Key Points:
- Economic Hardship: Senator Orji Uzor Kalu stopped using his private jet due to Nigeria’s economic hardship.
- Fueling Challenges: The hike in aviation fuel prices made maintaining the jet unsustainable.
- Commercial Flights: Kalu now uses commercial planes for his travel needs.
- Private Jet Contract: The jet has been contracted out to an oil company to generate income.
- Worker Salaries: Kalu aims to sort out worker salary differentials in Nigeria and West Africa before reconsidering private jet usage. ¹
