The Nigerian House of Representatives has accused the Navy of purchasing a controversial N5 billion presidential yacht without the approval of the National Assembly as reflected in the 2023 supplementary budget. The Navy confirmed the delivery of the yacht, which had been in the country since June 2023, stating that it was for training, and was procured during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to replace the defunct presidential yacht. However, the Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, denied any knowledge of budgetary allocation for the procurement of the yacht and stated that the Committee would investigate the infraction committed by the Navy. The lawmaker argued that there were no provisions in the approved budgetary provisions for the Navy over the past four years and that the procurement of the yacht was out of place, stressing that it must be provided for in the 2023 budget. Gagdi expressed concern over the development and stated that the Navy had been treated unfairly, noting that the Navy’s supplementary budget was only N62 billion compared to the Army’s and Air Force’s. He also stated that any subheads provided for among the supplementary budget proposed for the Navy that he considered unnecessary would be overseen. The lawmaker explained that the Navy has been vested with the responsibility of defending the country by sea in terms of its natural resources, and that it must be strengthened. Gagdi also stated that the presidential yacht in the budget was not supposed to be there and that the investigation into the procurement of the yacht would commence after consultation with the Committee members.
The House of Representatives alleges that the Navy purchased a presidential yacht without obtaining the necessary approval.
