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Tinubu Govt Moves to Sell Obasanjo’s Old Jet Abroad, Sparks Controversy
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:
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Zone 1: Crew rest area
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Zone 2: VIP stateroom with a bed, divan, and private lavatory
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Zone 3: VIP lounge with a four-seat conference table
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Zone 4: Nine forward-facing first-class seats
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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.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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