The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially listed a Boeing 737‑700 Business Jet—acquired during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in 2005—for sale in Switzerland.
The 19-year-old presidential aircraft, initially purchased for $43 million, is currently listed by AMAC Aerospace in Basel, a renowned Swiss private aviation firm. This development follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s move to a refurbished Airbus A330-200 in August 2024, a decision made amid rising maintenance costs, safety concerns, and calls to cut down government spending.
According to aviation sources, the plane underwent major inspections and maintenance before being put up for sale, with the listing currently featured on US-based aviation marketplace Controller.com.
Tinubu Administration’s Jet Upgrade
The now-retired BBJ-737 (Tail Number: 5N-FGT) served as Nigeria’s presidential jet until the acquisition of the refurbished Airbus A330-200 in mid-2024, reportedly purchased for around $100 million (₦150 billion). That aircraft, believed to be a repossessed asset from a German bank, underwent reconfiguration in France and was later flown to South Africa to be repainted in Nigerian national colours.
Despite this, since February 2025, President Tinubu has occasionally used a San Marino-registered BBJ (T7-NAS), raising fresh questions about the operational status of the Airbus A330.
Nigeria’s Presidential Fleet: 10 Aircraft, High Maintenance
Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet (PAF), managed by the Nigerian Air Force and supervised by the Office of the National Security Adviser, consists of 10 aircraft, including:
- Fixed-wing aircraft: Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G500, 2 Falcon 7Xs, a Hawker 4000, a Challenger 605, and the now-listed BBJ-737.
- Rotor-wing aircraft: 2 Agusta 139 helicopters and 2 Agusta 101 helicopters.
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Reports confirm that at least three of the fixed-wing aircraft are currently unserviceable, reinforcing the Tinubu administration’s commitment—like the Buhari government before it—to streamline the PAF for cost efficiency.
Jet Details: Luxury, Safety Upgrades, and Sale Terms
The BBJ-737 has seen nearly two decades of service and was partially refurbished in July 2024, including:
- First-class seating upgrades
- 90% new cabin carpeting
- Completion of C1-C2 level inspections
Despite this, it remains off any engine maintenance program, with its CFM56-7BE engines in “on-condition” status (not enrolled in performance-guarantee coverage). The aircraft experienced a mechanical fault during an official trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024, raising safety concerns that influenced the decision to retire it.
Aircraft Configuration & Features
The luxury jet is configured for 33 passengers and 8 crew members, divided into five cabin zones:
- Crew Rest Area: Seats and crew lavatory
- VIP Stateroom: Bed, two-place divan, private lavatory
- VIP Lounge: Conference-style four-seat setup
- First-Class Section: Nine forward-facing seats
- Business-Class Cabin: 18 seats with premium layout
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Additional features include:
- Ka-Band Wi-Fi (Honeywell MCS-7000 system)
- 6 onboard entertainment monitors (ranging from 21” to 32”)
- Four lavatories, forward and aft galleys with full meal service capability
- Modern avionics, including Rockwell Collins, Honeywell, and L3 equipment
- Compliance with ADS-B, FANS-1/A, CPDLC, and RVSM regulations
- 70,000 lbs fuel capacity with an intercontinental range
- Veyron-based maintenance tracking system
- Exterior retains 2005 white-and-green Nigerian colour scheme
The asking price is not publicly disclosed, but interested buyers are directed to contact AMAC Aerospace directly for further negotiation.
No Official Comment from the Presidency Yet
Efforts by Naija Blog Daily to obtain an official confirmation from the Presidency were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, went unanswered at the time of this report.
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