Wealthy Nigerians acquired at least six private jets worth a total of US$225 million between March 2010 and March 2011, bringing the total number of such jets in the country to around 70, according to a local newspaper investigation published Monday.
The latest acquisition of the luxury jets were said to have been made by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, telecommunications mogul Mike Adenuga and renowned Pastor David Oyedepo.
According to the paper, Dangote bought a Canadian-made Bombardier for US$45 million, just like Adenuga, while Oyedepo acquired a Gulfstream V for US$30 million.
The owners of the three other aircraft were not identified.
The paper quoted industry experts as saying it costs about US$550,000 annually to maintain a private jet.
Workers in Nigeria will cringe at such opulence, in a country where most of its 36 state governments are finding it hard to pay the newly-approved minimum wage of 18,000 Naira (US$120) monthly for each public sector worker
