The Federal Government has officially listed its Boeing 737‑700 Business Jet (BBJ) for sale, nearly two decades after it was acquired during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
The aircraft, bought in 2005 for $43 million, has been grounded since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu began using a refurbished Airbus A330‑200 in August 2024. The move comes amid increasing pressure to cut costs and improve efficiency within the Presidential Air Fleet.
According to reports, the BBJ is being marketed by AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland, and is currently listed on the aircraft sales platform Controller.com. The jet was prepared for sale with recent inspections and partial refurbishment, including interior upgrades and compliance with aviation safety standards.
A mechanical issue that occurred during President Tinubu’s official trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024 raised further concerns about the jet’s reliability. Despite a partial overhaul in July 2024 which included new carpeting, first-class seating upgrades, and C1–C2 inspections — the government decided to retire the aircraft.
The BBJ, configured to carry 33 passengers and eight crew members, features a five-zone layout that includes a VIP suite, VIP lounge, crew rest area, first-class and business-class sections. It also boasts modern amenities such as Ka-Band Wi‑Fi, four lavatories, full galleys, and multiple entertainment screens.
Earlier in 2025, the jet received a $100 million reconfiguration and a fresh livery in South Africa. However, both of its CFM56‑7BE engines are listed as "on condition" and are not covered under any maintenance programme, potentially impacting resale value.
The sale is part of the federal government’s broader aircraft rationalisation strategy. The new A330‑200 (tail number 5N‑FGA), acquired from a German bank and painted in Nigeria’s green-and-white colours, has since taken over presidential travel duties. Additionally, a San Marino-registered BBJ (T7‑NAS) was recently added to the fleet.
Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet also includes several Gulfstreams, Falcons, a Hawker jet, a Challenger, and helicopters, though not all are currently operational.
AMAC Aerospace is currently accepting confidential offers for the BBJ, with full technical specifications, avionics details, and certification compliance listed for prospective buyers.
