The Federal Government has put up for sale its presidential Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ), which has served the nation for nearly two decades. The aircraft, acquired in 2005 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo for $43 million, is now listed for sale through AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland. This move comes as President Bola Tinubu has switched to using a refurbished Airbus A330-200 since August last year, amid increasing public scrutiny and economic pressures.
Sources close to the matter told Punch that the presidential BBJ was inspected and partially refurbished ahead of the sale. The decision to retire the aircraft was accelerated by safety concerns and ongoing maintenance issues, especially after a mechanical problem arose during an official visit to Saudi Arabia in April 2024. Although the jet underwent some upgrades in July 2024, including new carpeting, enhanced first-class seating, and the completion of critical C1–C2 inspections, the government opted to ground the plane permanently.
Configured to comfortably carry 33 passengers and eight crew members, the BBJ boasts a sophisticated five-zone layout that includes a crew rest area, a VIP suite with lavatory, a VIP lounge, first-class seating, and business class. Passengers enjoyed top-tier amenities such as fully equipped galleys, four lavatories, Ka-Band Wi-Fi, and multiple in-flight entertainment screens. Earlier this year, the aircraft was subject to a $100 million reconfiguration and even received a fresh coat of paint in South Africa, showcasing Nigeria’s green and white colours.
However, the jet’s two CFM56-7BE engines remain “on condition” without enrollment in any formal maintenance program, which presents a significant consideration for potential buyers due to the high upkeep costs involved. The sale of the BBJ aligns with a wider effort by the presidency to rationalize the fleet of official aircraft. The government has recently acquired the Airbus A330-200, tail number 5N-FGA, from a German bank, repainted it with Nigeria’s national colours, and has put it to extensive use.
In addition to this, a San Marino-registered BBJ with tail number T7-NAS joined the presidential fleet earlier this year. Nigeria’s aviation assets also include a range of other jets, such as Gulfstreams, Falcons, a Hawker, and a Challenger, as well as helicopters, though not all of these aircraft are currently operational.
AMAC Aerospace is handling the sale discreetly and is inviting confidential offers. The aircraft listing highlights its advanced avionics suite, featuring Rockwell Collins and Honeywell systems, and confirms compliance with international standards such as ADS-B, CPDLC, FANS-1/A, and RVSM, making it a high-tech option for buyers seeking a well-equipped business jet.
