The Federal Government has officially put up for sale Nigeria’s 20-year-old Boeing Business Jet (BBJ)—once the pride of the presidential air fleet—following its retirement and replacement by a newer Airbus A330.
The Boeing 737-700 BBJ, purchased in 2005 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is currently stationed at AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland, where it is undergoing final inspections. The aircraft is publicly listed for sale on Controller, a leading international aircraft sales platform. It had served multiple administrations as the primary presidential aircraft for nearly two decades.
The move comes amid intensified public demand for transparency and fiscal responsibility in the management of government assets. Justifying the upgrade last year, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga cited the BBJ’s rising maintenance costs and increasingly unreliable performance, including a mid-flight malfunction during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
“The ageing BBJ had become too costly to operate safely and efficiently,” Onanuga noted. He confirmed that the Airbus ACJ330-200, delivered in July 2024, now serves as the official presidential aircraft.
Details from the sales listing show the 2005-built BBJ has logged approximately 3,821 flight hours and 1,881 landings, with a cabin layout that seats 33 passengers and 8 crew across five zones. Luxury amenities include a private bedroom with ensuite shower, VIP office, conference room, and business-class seating. It also features Ka-band Wi-Fi, ADS-B Out, and FANS 1/A avionics for advanced communications and flight tracking.
In July 2024, the jet received partial refurbishment, including new carpeting and a first-class seat overhaul, along with routine C1-C2 checks. However, the aircraft’s CFM56-7BE engines are not under any maintenance program and are being sold “on condition”, meaning their future performance is not guaranteed.
While no asking price has been publicly disclosed by either AMAC Aerospace or the Nigerian government, the listing signals an effort by the Tinubu administration to streamline the presidential fleet amid ongoing economic concerns.
The jet’s retirement follows controversy surrounding the ₦150 billion acquisition of the Airbus, a decision that drew sharp criticism from civil society groups and opposition leaders, especially given Nigeria’s fiscal pressures and calls for austerity.
Analysts say the BBJ’s sale reflects a broader strategy to cut costs and address safety concerns, although critics argue that the timing and scale of the new purchase undermine that message.
As of press time, no buyer has been confirmed, and the aircraft remains listed for sale in Switzerland.