The Federal Government has put up for sale its 19-year-old Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ), originally acquired in 2005 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The aircraft, which previously served as Nigeria’s presidential jet, is now listed for sale through AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The sale listing appeared on the US-based aircraft marketplace Controller.com, with detailed specifications showing the BBJ has undergone recent maintenance, including completed C1-C2 inspections as of July 2024, and is currently undergoing B1-B2 checks in Basel.

The BBJ, purchased for $43 million, was Nigeria’s primary presidential aircraft until August 2024, when President Bola Tinubu transitioned to a refurbished Airbus A330-200 amid public pressure to cut government spending.

Since February 2025, President Tinubu has been flying a San Marino-registered BBJ (T7-NAS), while the newly acquired Airbus was sent to South Africa to receive a livery update to reflect Nigerian colours. The Airbus A330-200, bought for approximately $100 million, was sourced from a repossessed aircraft held by a German bank.

The Nigerian Presidential Air Fleet (PAF), which is managed by the Nigerian Air Force under the Office of the National Security Adviser, comprises about 10 aircraft. These include three unserviceable fixed-wing planes among a Gulfstream G550, G500, Falcon 7Xs, Hawker 4000, and a Challenger 605. The rotary-wing assets include four Agusta helicopters.

Both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations had committed to downsizing the fleet to reduce costs, with the aging BBJ-737 becoming increasingly expensive to operate. The Presidency cited high maintenance costs and safety concerns, especially following a mechanical failure during a presidential trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024.

Despite partial refurbishments—including new carpeting and updated first-class seats—the BBJ remains off any engine maintenance program. Its CFM56-7BE engines are “on condition,” meaning they are not covered under performance guarantees.

According to the listing, the aircraft can carry 33 passengers and 8 crew members, configured into five distinct zones:

• Zone 1: Crew rest area

• Zone 2: VIP stateroom with a bed, divan, and private lavatory

• Zone 3: VIP lounge with a four-seat conference table

• Zone 4: Nine forward-facing first-class seats

• Zone 5: Eighteen business-class seats

Amenities include Ka-Band Wi-Fi (Honeywell MCS-7000), full-service galleys at both ends, four lavatories, and multiple entertainment screens—including a 32-inch monitor in the master bedroom.

The BBJ is outfitted with advanced avionics and safety systems such as VHF/HF radios, Rockwell Collins navigation gear, TCAS, Honeywell’s Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), and Thales avionics for air data and inertial reference.

Powered by two CFM56-7BE engines with 3,821 hours since new and 1,881 cycles, the BBJ features an intercontinental range enhanced by eight auxiliary fuel tanks that raise capacity to 70,000 lbs.

The aircraft retains its original 2005 white-and-green livery symbolising the Nigerian flag. However, it is not enrolled in any scheduled engine maintenance programme, a factor that could influence buyer interest.

AMAC Aerospace is handling the sale, and interested parties are advised to contact the firm directly for pricing. As of press time, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga had not responded to requests for confirmation.