The Federal Government has listed a Boeing 737-700 Business Jet—purchased during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration—for sale, nearly two decades after it was acquired.
The aircraft, which cost the country around $43 million in 2005, is currently up for sale through AMAC Aerospace, a private aviation firm based in Basel, Switzerland.
The listing appears on a U.S.-based aircraft marketplace, Controller.com, and shows that the jet has been fully inspected and is being prepared for transfer to a new owner.
The decision to offload the jet follows President Bola Tinubu’s switch to a refurbished Airbus A330-200 in August 2024. This change came amid rising operational costs and increasing concerns about government spending, especially regarding the presidential air fleet.
The Boeing BBJ, which served as the president’s official aircraft under several administrations, had undergone partial refurbishment in July 2024. Upgrades included C1-C2 maintenance checks, new carpeting, and improvements to the first-class section.
Despite these efforts, the jet has been deemed too costly to maintain and is no longer in active service.
Reports say the aircraft had mechanical issues during a presidential trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024, raising safety concerns. The presidency noted that the jet had become expensive to operate and maintain, especially after nearly 20 years in service.
Although the government has not publicly stated the asking price, interested buyers are encouraged to contact AMAC Aerospace directly. The BBJ’s listing shows it is fitted with advanced avionics and luxury interiors, designed to carry 33 passengers and 8 crew members across five cabin zones.
Inside, the aircraft features a VIP bedroom with a bed and private bathroom, a four-seat conference area, and sections for first-class and business-class seating.
Entertainment options include multiple large-screen monitors throughout the cabin and a Honeywell-powered Ka-Band Wi-Fi system. The galley areas, both in the front and rear, are fully equipped for in-flight catering.
The aircraft is also equipped with a wide range of avionics and safety systems from industry leaders like Rockwell Collins, Honeywell, and Thales.
It has two CFM56-7BE engines with over 3,800 flight hours and a Honeywell auxiliary power unit with nearly 6,000 hours. However, the engines are “on condition,” meaning they are not covered by any performance guarantee or maintenance plan.
Despite being operational, the aircraft is not enrolled in an engine maintenance program, which may affect buyer negotiations. Still, it remains compliant with global aviation standards like ADS-B, CPDLC, and FANS-1/A.
The aircraft is currently undergoing B1-B2 inspections at AMAC Aerospace, with maintenance history tracked via the Veyron system. Its exterior still bears the original 2005 design—white with green markings representing Nigeria’s national colors.
The Presidential Air Fleet, which is overseen by the Nigerian Air Force and the Office of the National Security Adviser, reportedly consists of about 10 aircraft. This includes various fixed-wing and rotor-wing models, some of which are said to be in poor condition.
