Presidency Denies Ownership of Yacht Spotted in France with Nigerian Flag

Presidency Denies Ownership of Yacht Spotted in France with Nigerian Flag

The Nigerian presidency has addressed rumors circulating on social media about a yacht flying the Nigerian flag in St. Tropez, a coastal town in France.

Claims had surfaced that a “presidential yacht” belonging to the Nigerian government was being used for a vacation in the luxurious destination.

Presidential spokesman for digital and new media, Otega Ogra, dismissed the reports via his X (Twitter) account, clarifying that the yacht in question is privately owned and has no connection to President Bola Tinubu or the Nigerian Navy.

Ogra emphasized that official flags used by the President or armed forces do not feature the coat of arms, unlike the one displayed on the yacht. He explained further, “The 42-meter Bennetti yacht, currently shared online, has been privately owned for around five years and bears no ties to the Nigerian government or the President.”

He also highlighted that it is common for luxury yachts to fly the owner’s national flag alongside the flag of their registration country. Ogra concluded by reiterating that the Nigerian flag, when used for official purposes, does not contain a coat of arms in the middle, and any deviation from this design indicates private or non-official use.