NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT PUTS PRESIDENTIAL BOEING 737 BUSINESS JET UP FOR SALE AFTER TWO DECADES OF SERVICE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially listed its 19-year-old Boeing 737 Business Jet (BBJ) for sale, marking the end of an era for the long-serving aircraft that transported successive presidents for nearly two decades. The listing is hosted by AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland, and is now available on U.S.-based aviation marketplace, Controller.com.
Originally acquired in 2005 under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration at a cost of \$43 million, the aircraft—registered 5N-FGT—served as the official presidential jet until August 2024. It was then replaced by a refurbished Airbus A330-200, acquired for an estimated \$100 million (approximately ₦150 billion).
The decision to retire the BBJ-737 comes amid broader efforts by the Buhari and Tinubu administrations to streamline the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) for cost efficiency and improved safety. Despite undergoing partial refurbishment in July 2024, including cabin upgrades and mandatory C1-C2 maintenance inspections, the aircraft was increasingly deemed expensive to maintain and faced heightened safety scrutiny. A mechanical failure during a presidential trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024 further underscored concerns about its reliability.
The new Airbus A330-200, registered 5N-FGA, was acquired from a repossessed German bank asset and transported to France for initial reconfiguration before being flown to South Africa in early 2025 for a new livery reflecting Nigeria’s national colours. However, since February 2025, President Bola Tinubu has reportedly been flying on a San Marino-registered BBJ (registration: T7-NAS), pending the full deployment of the A330-200.
Currently, Nigeria’s presidential air fleet, managed by the Nigerian Air Force and supervised by the Office of the National Security Adviser, includes approximately 10 aircraft. The fixed-wing fleet comprises a Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G500, two Dassault Falcon 7Xs, a Hawker 4000, and a Challenger 605. However, three of these aircraft are reportedly unserviceable. The rotary-wing fleet includes two Agusta 139 and two Agusta 101 helicopters.
The BBJ-737 being sold is configured to carry 33 passengers and eight crew, arranged across five zones. These include a crew rest area, a VIP stateroom with a private lavatory, a VIP lounge with a four-seat conference room, nine first-class seats, and 18 business-class seats. A partial interior overhaul in July 2024 introduced new carpeting and refurbished first-class seating.
Additional amenities include full-service galleys at both ends of the cabin, four enclosed lavatories, and Ka-Band Wi-Fi via the Honeywell MCS-7000 system. Entertainment systems feature large-screen monitors across different cabin zones.
Technically, the BBJ is equipped with advanced avionics and navigation systems, including Rockwell Collins and Honeywell components, as well as emergency and safety gear such as an L3 Comms DFDR and CVR, ADS-B compliance, and CPDLC capabilities. However, the aircraft is not enrolled in an engine maintenance program, and its two CFM56-7BE engines are being sold “on condition,” meaning without performance guarantees.
AMAC Aerospace, which also facilitated the acquisition of the Airbus A330-200, is handling the sale. The asking price is available upon request.
This move is seen as part of the presidency’s broader effort to modernize the fleet while cutting long-term operational costs and addressing increasing public scrutiny over government expenditures.
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